Shoaib gives Pakistan something to think about

Shoaib Akhtar has given the Pakistan management something fresh to think about by making himself available for the remainder of the Indian tour. He has recovered from the hamstring injury which had kept him out of the Test series against India, and curtailed his Australian tour.

Akhtar played in a Twenty20 match between Pakistan board XI and Leicestershire in Lahore. "It was a great feeling to return to competitive cricket and bowl the allotted four overs with full run-up," said Akhtar to the Press Trust of India. "I think I bowled fast but the important thing was there was no pain in my hamstring."

"Yes, I am a bit stiff but that's natural as I am playing after a long lay-off," said Akhtar, who conceded 21 runs in his four overs. Akhtar is currently training with Grant Compton. Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, had admitted that Pakistan was missing Akhtar's ability to run through a side. "It is disappointing he is not in the team. But there is nothing we can do about it," Bob Woolmer was quoted as saying by The News. "There is no doubt at all in my mind or that of Inzamam that he is our main strike bowler and we want him in the team."

However Inzamam only recently told The News, "Yes there have been occasions when I told the selectors and the Board [that] I don't want him in the team because his behaviour has a bad influence on the youngsters." Inzamam went on to add, "Pick up his record of the last two years and see for yourself how many matches he has missed due to some 'fitness problem' immediately after taking wickets in a game. What I feel is he wants to perform in one match and rest on its laurels for the next two. He is not there when the team needs him most. I have nothing personal against him. But he lacks cricketing discipline. He wants to play on his own terms which is unacceptable to me."