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Shoaib to opt out of SL series

Thursday, April 22 2004

The Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, has decided to opt out of Pakistan's forthcoming series against Sri Lanka in Malaysia, following severe criticism regarding his performance during the recently concluded Test series against India at home, which Pakistan lost.

A member of Shoaib's family told the Pakistan daily The News, "Shoaib is mentally so upset that he might even not participate in any international cricket for a couple of months."

The un-ideitifed member also said that Shoaib is being criticised by those who themselves were responsible for Pakistan's humiliating loss to India. He said, "These people are afraid of the fall-out of the defeat. They were having a good time without putting in their part during all these years. These people have failed to deliver since the last couple of years. Now when they realise that they might be taken to task for the failure, they are desperately trying to shift the blame on one man. In view of this, the fast bowler does not want to play the matches against Sri Lanka. You need confidence and trust from those people who are associated with you. If you do not get that, it would be hard to gather yourself for the professional commitments and that is the reason why Shoaib has decided not to play in the three matches."

Meanwhile, Shoaib is currently in India on assigment for a TV commercial alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Jason Gillespie. However, according to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official, Shoaib didn't take the board's permission to do so.

Shoaib also has to face a PCB medical commission, after fingers were pointed at him, for faking an injury during the third and final Test against India.

Posted by Sudeep