Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan cricket is bracing for yet another controversy after enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar decided to lead the Islamabad Leopards in the domestic Twenty20 Cup despite a skin infection that ruled him out of Pakistan’s World Twenty20 squad. It seems that the PCB has made the decision in a hurry for him. This attitude of PCB and Shoaib had affected his career earlier and in the future it will also be risky for him. He is a world class player and PCB should resolve the matters for the sake of team and country.

The fast bowler, 33, had been due to join the 15-man Pakistan squad for a training camp but was advised to rest. Islamabad leopard’s president Shakil Shaikh told the Associated Press that Shoaib had has told us that he is fit so we have no reason to drop him, we have not received any medical report.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced Shoaib with fast bowler Rao Iftikhar Anjum after a three-member medical board advised treatment for another 10 days on Shoaib’s ailment.

Pakistan’s domestic Twenty20 Cup competition begins at Lahore from Monday, 25 May with Islamabad Leopards taking on Peshawar Panthers – led by Pakistan captain Younus Khan.