Pakistan again delay naming Trophy side
Pakistan have again delayed announcing their 30-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy. The selection committee and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management met in Lahore on Monday, but didn't name the squad.
A release said the team is likely to be named on Tuesday.
Although the release said "the availability status of few cricketers is still unconfirmed", Cricinfo has learnt the announcement was delayed till the identity of the player who tested positive in the Indian Premier League was revealed. This was done in order to "avoid further controversy", an official said.
Last week Pakistan had deferred naming the squad after disagreements between selectors and a board committee over some names in the list and the confusion over Shoaib Akhtar's eligibility.
Akhtar's chances of being named in the preliminary squad however receded after his lawyer said he would not pay a hefty fine in time to be considered for selection.
The PCB sent a notice to the paceman asking him to pay the seven million rupees (247,600 dollars) fine imposed on him by an appeals tribunal in June.
A PCB spokesman said on Friday: "Shoaib's name would only be considered for selection if he clears the fine first."
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