Shoaib pulls out of RBS Cup

[Sadaf Gondal]

KARACHI: Shoaib Akhtar on Sunday night decided against featuring in the RBS Twenty20 Cup that got underway in Lahore and averted yet another showdown with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Sources close to Shoaib told ‘The News’ that the fast bowler took the decision to pull out of the RBS Cup on the advise of Aamer Sohail, his former Pakistan teammate who is now working as a senior PCB official.

Shoaib, 33, had decided to lead Islamabad Leopards in the five-day contest in spite of the fact that he was axed from Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 Championship in England because of a skin infection.

While sources close to Shoaib claimed that he only took the decision after Aamer told him that it would not be wise to feature in the event, there were also reports that the player was actually barred from taking part in the RBS Cup.

The reports suggested that the Board told the Islamabad Cricket Association that Shoaib would be in violation of his central contract if he played in the tournament in spite of a medial advice that he needs to rest for at least 10 days to recover from his skin problem.

“The board has sent us the medical report and copy of the central contract which states a player playing against medical advice can be fined,” said Shakil Sheikh, ICA chief.

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[Sadaf Gondal]

[LoViNg IrFaN]

[Sadaf Gondal]