Khan angered at Akhtar exclusion

Former Pakistani captain Imran Khan has criticised selectors for excluding Shoaib Akhtar from the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Shoaib Akhtar was recently acquitted from doping charges that had him facing a two year ban.

“There must have been some compelling reasons to keep a bowler like Akhtar out of the team, reasons we don’t know,” said the former Pakistani great.

“It is tough to keep a fully fit Akhtar out of the team – he is a match winner. If selectors feel he is not fit, then they must watch him in a match, and if found fit he should be sent on the first available flight.”

Khan wasn’t the only former player that was critical of the selections. Sarfraz Nawaz, who played 55 tests from 1969 till 1984, also voiced his displeasure at Akhtar’s omission

“Now with Akhtar not in the team, South Africa will prepare fast pitches, as there would be little pressure on them,” he said.

“I am told Akhtar is playing a first-class match this week and I will personally watch him, and if I find him fit then I will expose all the selectors.”

Nawaz was also upset by the oversight of fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed who was cleared by the ICC, after serving a one year ban for an illegal bowling action.

“I also worked on Shabbir Ahmed to correct his bowling action and now when he is cleared from the ICC and available for the national team, the PCB dropped him.”