Controversial Akhtar told to prove fitness by selectors
Pakistan host Australia in March
Sunday, 20, Jan 2008 08:21
Shoaib Akhtar has been told to prove his fitness or face losing his central contract for Pakistan.
The controversial fast bowler was left out of the squad for the one-day series against Zimbabwe, which starts tomorrow in Karachi.
After an impressive display in the first Test against India last month, Akhtar struggled with his fitness for the rest of the tour.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is furious with the 32-year-old for not contacting them about his fitness and his whereabouts.
"Unless he proves his match fitness he can not be considered for national selection," said Shafqat Naghmi, cricket board chief operating officer.
"In India, he struggled to bowl four to five-over spells and he had some fitness issues as well.
"He should have contacted us and started working on his match fitness ahead of the coming series. We don't know anything about his fitness as yet.
"Ever since the Indian series concluded he has not contacted us at all. We don't even know if he has returned from India."
Akhtar was warned last year he will be banned from playing for his country if he gets in trouble again.
The paceman was fined last year for using foul language and walking out of a training camp, which was later overturned.
Akhtar was then banned for 13 matches for allegedly hitting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat on the eve of the Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa.
The former Worcestershire bowler sparked anger among fans after being pictured in a nightclub in Delhi before the ODI series with India in November.
Pakistan will also be without fast bowlers Asif and Umar Gul for the five-match series against Zimbabwe.