Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 303 Sun. April 03, 2005  
   
Sports


Shoaib available Shabbir likely to join Pak team in India


Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made himself available for the one-day series in India after playing against Leicestershire in a Twenty20 match.

Shoaib, who has been out with a hamstring injury, bowled four overs for a Pakistan Cricket Board XI.

He conceded 21 runs but the home side still won their first ever Twenty20 match in Asia by 53 runs in Karachi.

"I am 100 per cent fit now but it's up to my trainer to say if I need more time to be declared fully fit," Shoaib said.

However, trainer Grant Compton believes Shoaib needs more time to recover from his injury.

There was more positive news for Shabbir Ahmed, who took two wickets for nine runs from three overs.

The paceman was expected to join the Pakistani team for the last two games of the ongoing six-match one-day series in India.

A national selector confirmed that the selection committee, headed by Wasim Bari, was impressed with the fitness of Shabbir, who last played a one-dayer in August last year before breaking down with knee injuries. Later he received treatment in South Africa.