KARACHI, 9 June 2006 — Pakistan left out injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar from a 16-member touring squad announced yesterday for the Test series in England, and recalled pacer Shahid Nazir.
Akhtar, Pakistan’s most experienced bowler in contemporary cricket with 165 Test and 199 one-day wickets, was not considered because of a stress fracture of the ankle.
Medical experts have told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rest him for six weeks before he resumes bowling.
Akhtar, 30, has not played since January and underwent knee surgery in Australia in February. “The selectors felt it was not right to take a risk with him as we have a lot of matches lined up including next year’s World Cup,” chief selector Wasim Bari told reporters in Lahore.
“He will be considered to join the team later on when he starts bowling again. The selectors have recalled Shahid Nazir as his replacement,” he said.
Also recalled was pacer Mohammad Sami who has been sidelined since the Tests against India in January.
Nazir, 28, has played eight Tests and 17 One-Day Internationals but his last Test appearance was in March 1999 against Sri Lanka. He went to India and the West Indies last year but did not play a single match.
“In Shoaib’s absence we needed a bowler who has experience of bowling in English conditions. So we have chosen Nazir,” Bari said.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer described Akhtar’s injury as “sad” and said the team would try to do their best with their available resources.
