Akhtar set for Surrey

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has cleared controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to play a couple of matches for English county Surrey in September.
Sources in the board confirmed that Shoaib had asked for the PCB nod after being approached by Surrey who wanted him to play two or three matches with the season closing.
"Apparently Surrey want to boost their revenues and have invited Shoaib for these games. I don't know whether they are first class or one day games but we have said he can play," the source said.
Asked how he was cleared when the board was insisting that the fast bowler should first pay a fine of seven million rupees before he can play for Pakistan, the source said that the condition was only for playing for the national team.
"Since he is playing abroad for a foreign side the board had no objections and it will also allow us to assess his fitness," the source said.
But he added that Shoaib had been told that if the planned tri-series in South Africa next month materialises, he has to keep himself available for national duty provided he pays the fine.
Sources say that Shoaib who has played just a couple of Twenty20 games and a first class match since last December is also keen to get back into full bowling form and has been working very hard in the nets these days in Lahore.
The board has issued a legal notice to Shoaib asking him to pay a fine of seven million imposed on him by the appellate tribunal or get a court injunction against the fine.
The tribunal had imposed the fine in June while reducing a five-year ban on Shoaib to 18-months that was announced by the board for various counts of indiscipline.
Meanwhile, senior batsman Younis Khan is all set to play for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield that gets underway in October.
"He is presently enjoying a well deserved rest and also completing his travel formalities to go to Australia by October," a PCB official said.
PCB has already given permission to Younis to play for South Australia for the 2008 and 2009 season provided he is available whenever Pakistan needs him for national duty.
South Australia confirmed approaching Younis last June after they failed to convince any major Australian player and coach Mark Sorell was pleased to have Younis for his team.
"Securing a batsman of Younis' calibre will provide our young South Australian batsmen with unprecedented experience," Sorell had said.
"We are really excited by the news. We expect Younis will play a key role in making sure the Redbacks are competitive this season and ensuring our bowlers have good targets to work with," he added.