Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Shoaib pulls out of Pakistan camp

Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib has only just returned from knee and calf injuries

Shoaib Akhtar has pulled out of Pakistan's training camp ahead of June's World Twenty20 tournament in England because of a skin problem.

The 33-year-old fast bowler, who was due to join the 15-man squad for a six-day camp at a mountain resort in Bhurban, has been advised to rest.

However, he is expected to join up with his team-mates before the start of the competition on Friday, 5 June.

Pakistan have been drawn in Group B alongside England and Holland.

Shoaib's ailment continues a frustrating run of injuries for the paceman since he had his 18-month ban, imposed by the former Pakistan Cricket Board for ill-discipline, reduced to a suspended term last year.

He missed the one-day international series against West Indies in October with a calf injury and the ill-fated Test series against Sri Lanka in March with a knee complaint.

606: DEBATE
BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener

Shoaib returned in the recent one-day series against Australia, but took just three wickets in five matches at an average of 50.66.

He was sent home from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad in South Africa two years ago after assaulting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before the tournament had started.

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