Shoaib fails to show up for fitness test by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Qadir, Wasim Bari
Event:	Pakistan in Sri Lanka 2009

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DateLine: 15th July 2009

 

Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has again messed up and added another blot on his career after he failed to show up for a fitness test.

 

The fast bowler failed to strengthen his claim for a place in the Pakistan squad for the one-day series in Sri Lanka.

 

Interim chief selector Wasim Bari wanted Akhtar to undergo a fitness test to assess the pacer's present physical condition before he leaves for Sri Lanka to finalise the Pakistan squad for the ODI series against the emerald nation.

 

"He has conveyed to us that since his mother is ill he can't leave Islamabad at this time," Bari said.

 

Bari said the Pakistan Cricket Board wanted to observe Akhtar's fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore as he has not taken part in any competitive matches since the ODI series against Australia in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in May.

 

Bari, has made it clear that he wanted to see Akhtar bowl for a session of 30 to 45 minutes to assess his fitness.

 

Akhtar had also failed to cement his place in Pakistan's Twenty20 World Cup squad because of a skin infection for which he was advised 12 days rest.

 

Then he was not considered for the on-going three-match Test series against Sri Lanka which Pakistan had already lost 2-0.

 

But the Rawalpindi Express insists he is fully fit and ready to play the ODI series.

 

The speedster has been surrounded by controversy and now with former chief selector Abdul Qadir adding more spice when he claimed yesterday that coach Alam and manager Yawar Saeed conspired against the pacer to keep him out of the Pakistan team.