Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 325 Wed. April 27, 2005  
   
Sports


Five-wicket Shoaib reminds selectors
Sami in doubt for WI tour


Fit-again fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took five wickets in Pakistan's inaugural Twenty20 Cup match which began here on Monday, while Test reject Moin Khan hit a brilliant century.

Akhtar enhanced his comeback chances for Pakistan's series against the West Indies next month with his 5-23 in four overs, having missed Pakistan's recent tour of India due to a hamstring injury.

"I am feeling great. I hope it will help my comeback," said the 29-year-old.

Captained by Akhtar, the Rawalpindi Rams dismissed Quetta Bears for a paltry 101 after setting a target of 198.

Twenty20, in which sides play 20 overs each, was introduced in England two years ago and has proved a huge success, attracting more crowds than some normal matches. Pakistani cricket chiefs hope it will catch on here.

Pakistani selectors said they would assess the fitness of Akhtar and two other pacers -- Shabbir Ahmed and Umer Gul -- before deciding the West Indies-bound squad next week.

Moin, a wicketkeeper-batsman who played 69 Tests and 219 one-dayers before he was discarded last year, hit six sixes and eight boundaries in his 59-ball 112 to give another reminder to the selectors.

Pakistan play three one-dayers and two Tests on their tour of the Caribbean.

Reuters adds from Karachi, fast bowler Mohammad Sami is doubtful for next month's tour of the West Indies after having surgery to remove a cyst in his right heel.

"Sami had the operation on Monday night and he has now been advised to have two and half to three weeks rest before he is cleared to start bowling again," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of cricket affairs Saleem Altaf told Reuters on Tuesday.

"Right now we are not sure if he would be fit in time to be considered for the West Indies tour," he added.

Sami, 24, took 10 wickets for Pakistan in the recent three-Test series in India and four in the one-day internationals before breaking down in the fourth match with the heel injury.

The Pakistan selectors are due to meet on Monday to announce the squad for the series. The first one-day international is on May 18.

Picture
COLOURS OF TWENTY20: Shoaib Malik of Sialkot Stallion follows the path of the ball while wicketkeeper of Lahore Eagles' Kamran Akmal looks on during their Twenty20 Cup clash in Lahore on Tuesday. Eagles won the match by four wickets. PHOTO: AFP