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Shoaib not fit to make even a list of 50, says Shahryar

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LAHORE: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan has supported Shoaib Akhtar’s omission from the 30-member ICC Champions Trophy squad, saying that the mercurial pacer is not fit to even make it to a list of 50.

“In his present condition leave alone making the preliminary list of 30 players, Shoaib can’t even make a list of 50 players for the tournament,” Shaharyar told a private TV channel in London. “He is overweight. He can’t bowl more than three overs at a stretch and he gets tired quickly so how could he be considered for a major event like the Champions Trophy,” Shahryar said.

Shahryar had several run-ins with Shoaib when he was manager of the Pakistan team on the tour of India in 1999 and in the 2003 World Cup. Shoaib has struggled with fitness and disciplinary issues for the last three years and was withdrawn from the Twenty20 World Cup squad in late May because of a skin infection.

Shaharyar said that the selectors should concentrate on new talent in the pace bowling department. “I think no player is bigger than the game and Pakistan cricket does not need unfit players. Shoaib is at present unfit and not ready for international cricket,” he said.

End.