Shoaib released from West Indies tour

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 13: In a surprise turnaround, the Pakistan tour management has now decided to retain fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed with the team and release injured Shoaib Akhtar from the touring party.

Shoaib, who was expected to play in the four-day game against the West Indies 'A', has once again failed the fitness test and thus will no longer be in the running for a place for the remaining Tests against the West Indies.

This was disclosed by Pakistan team manager Brig (Retd) Khawaja Mohammad Nasir on Friday.

Shoaib, who injured his groin during the Sharjah tournament, has bowled only ten overs during the tour since the tourists have arrived here in the first week of April. His outing in the final of the triangular series in which he bowled ten overs with great difficulty and took two wickets was all that he could offer to the team. His stay with the squad was in anticipation of his fitness during the tour but he still remains a passenger.

Had there been any other team like Australia or England or for that matter even Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe he would have been asked at once to pack his bag and depart.

The Pakistan tour management have been rather too kind by allowing him to stay on without getting in return any benefit from his presence.

"I had a talk with the PCB chief Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia and now we have come to a decision that Shabbir stays and Shoaib goes," said Brig Nasir.

Shoaib will of course go to England where he is contracted with Nottinghamshire to play during the summer. They surely will not allow Shoaib to continue with them if he is found to be still unable to bowl. The pacer has a gruelling contract with the county and it will be disappointing for them if he fails to pass their fitness Test.

The Notts have already had a previous set back after having signed Mohammad Zahid, the Pakistan fast bowler who broke down with stress fracture before he had bowled a single delivery in county cricket. The county officials are keeping their fingers crossed.

Wasim Akram is also suffering from a painful right leg and remained in the hotel all day on Friday. "He has developed some kind of pain in his right leg. I wonder if it has anything to do with his ailment (diabetes)," said a worried Pakistan manager.

It will be a big setback for Pakistan if Wasim Akram also is not fit in time for crucial second Test starting on May 18 at the Kensington Oval.