KARACHI, 16 June 2004 — Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar has become embroiled in a new fitness row with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the run-up to next month’s Asia Cup. The PCB has refused to accept Akhtar’s assurances that he is fit to play in the limited-overs tournament in Sri Lanka following a rib cage injury.

“I am playing for my county Durham and performing well. If I am not fit would they play me? I want to play in the Asia Cup but the board is not being clear about it,” Akhtar told Reuters from England yesterday.

The board earlier this month instructed their selectors not to consider Akhtar for the cup, which also features India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

“We acted on the basis of a letter sent to us by Durham who informed us that he needed periods of rest between matches to recover completely from his injury,” PCB Chief Executive Ramiz Raja said. “We have told Shoaib clearly that if he claims he is fit he has to come down and undergo a stringent fitness test; only then will he be considered.”

Akhtar, who has a history of disciplinary problems, and the board have clashed before over his fitness. The 28-year-old, reputed to be the fastest bowler in the world, faced a medical commission inquiry after the home series defeat to India in April.

Akhtar had hurt his rib cage and was unable to bowl during the decisive third and final Test in Rawalpindi but team captain Inzamam ul-Haq and some senior board officials questioned his commitment.

“I don’t know why they don’t trust me. I have always been committed to Pakistan cricket,” Akhtar added.

Australian to Take On Pakistan at Lord’s

In London, MCC announced yesterday it will host an extra fixture between Australia and Pakistan at Lord’s on Saturday Sept. 4.

The One-Day International will be a repeat of the World Cup final contested by the two sides at the home of cricket in 1999 which the Australians won by eight wickets.

The newly-arranged fixture will provide both teams with a chance to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy which will be held in England from Sept. 8 to 25. The two sides will also be taking part in a mini-tournament involving India in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam in Holland from Aug. 21 to 30.

The Lord’s fixture be the first of two major matches on successive days at the venue.

England will face India in the final game of their three-match NatWest Challenge series on Sunday Sept. 5.