Pakistan's Shoaib Akhter being flown to South Africa 
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

ISLAMABAD: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhter is to fly to South Africa forthwith as a replacement for injured speedster Umer Gul, the Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr. Nasim Ashraf, announced on Monday.

“The step has been taken after Chief Selector spoke to me by phone this very evening and conveyed the tour management committee’s request that a replacement be sent forthwith”, said Dr. Nasim Ashraf.

Chief Selector Wasim Bari had received a fax message from the tour management committee in which it was informed that doctors on the South Africa tour had diagnosed Umer Gul with an ankle injury and ruled him out for any competitive cricket for at least three weeks.

Besides, allrounder Shoaib Malik had also reinjured himself and will be out of action for two-three weeks, thus forcing the tour management committee, comprising manager, coach and captain, to ask for replacements from fast-bowling duo of Shoaib Akhter and Shabbir Ahmed.

After consultations, PCB decided to send Shoaib Akhter who is currently leading Islamabad in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (Silver League) match at Diamond Ground against Abbottabad, taking fours wickets in the first innings of the Abbottabad side.

“Shoaib Akhter will soon join the Pakistan squad on the South Africa tour”, Dr.Nasim Ashraf said. Shoaib Akhter was not originally among the 17 players selected for the Test series in South Africa. Both Umer Gul and Shoaib Malik will remain in South Africa, said the PCB Chairman.

Pakistan are to play three Tests and five One Day Internationals on the South Africa tour with the first Test starting on Thursday.●