Sport | Cricket
PCB allows Shoaib Akhtar to play county cricket
The Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to let fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar play in the English County Championship.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:54 September 2, 2008
Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board has agreed to let fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar play in the English County Championship.
"He (Akhtar) had requested for a No Objection Certificate, which we have issued to him, and we have no problems if he wants to play in county cricket," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said on Tuesday.
Akhtar, who has not played first class cricket since a test match against India in December, is expected to join English county Surrey.
"Akhtar has not played competitive cricket for months and he needs to regain match fitness," Naghmi said. "We believe a short county stint might help him in doing that."
In the recent past, the PCB had strong reservations over its cricketers competing in county cricket.
"Akhtar's case is a bit different," Naghmi said. "He needs some matches to test his fitness."
Akhtar was the fastest bowler in cricket at his peak, but his 46-test career has been restricted by injuries and discipline breeches.
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
Abu Dhabi teen golfer in England U16
Selected for U16 team to play at the European Young Masters in Hungary
-
Talking to mum inspires century
Azam cracks unbeaten 151 to help Eurocon upset Nucaf Tellicherry
-
Magoum wins Arabian fest Poland leg
Syrus second in Wathba Stud Farm Cup race at race course in Warsaw
