Shoaib Akhtar could be left out of Pakistan's preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy despite being cleared to play by the Lahore High Court as the maverick pacer has not yet paid the fine imposed on him for disciplinary violations.
Shoaib has been told by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to pay by tomorrow the fine of Rs seven million imposed on him by the appellate tribunal that reduced his original ban of five years to 18 months last month.
The 18-month ban has been suspended by the Lahore High Court but the fine remains which Shoaib has not paid as yet.
"We have sent the notice directly to him and if he does not agree to pay the fine then we might not consider him for the Champions Trophy preliminary list (to be announced tomorrow)," a senior board official said.
Shoaib himself has been untraceable and his legal counsel Abid Hasan Minto said the fast bowler has not contacted him for consultations on whether to pay the fine or not. "Nor have we received any copy of the notice by the board," he said.
The names of Shoaib and Mohammad Asif were included in the preliminary list by the national selectors last week but the board put its foot down and asked the selectors to come down to Lahore for further discussions.
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Mohammed Siraj, who had a promising start to his Test career with five wickets in Melbourne, led from the front and claimed his maiden five-wicket-haul in Tests.
LiveMohammed Siraj of India celebrates the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne of Australia during day four of the fourth test match between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, January 18, 2021. AAP Image/Darren England via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. AUSTRALIA OUT. NEW ZEALAND OUT(via REUTERS)
Australia's batsman Steve Smith looks on as India's Shardul Thakur bowls on day four of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India at The Gabba in Brisbane.(AFP)
India vs Australia: Rain ensured India couldn't make any progress in their chase and with more rain predicted for the final day, Australia batsman Steve Smith believes the Aussie bowlers need to be patient and bowl in good areas.
India vs Australia: Siraj’s 5/73 coupled with another fine piece of fast bowling from Shardul Thakur (4/61), helped India bowl Australia out for 294 in their second innings, which set India 328 to win.
Australia's Steve Smith reacts as he bats during play on day four of the fourth cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)(AP)
England ensured it didn't have any more hiccups in erasing the remaining 36 required on the last day after Sri Lanka had set up a tricky 74-run target on a turning wicket.
Australian captain Tim Paine, left, talks with bowler Pat Cummins during play on day three of the fourth cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)(AP)
Indian supporters wave flags during play on day four of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)(AP)
India vs Australia: The Indian cricket team had filed an official complaint of racist taunts directed at some of the players by the fans during the Sydney Test.
South Africa will play two tests and three Twenty20 Internationals on their return to Pakistan for the first time since a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.
India's Mohammed Siraj s congratulated by teammates after taking his fifth wicket during play on day four of the fourth cricket Test between India and Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane(AP)
India vs Australia: Mohammed Siraj, playing only his third Test, finished with 5/73, which made him the first Indian bowler to claim a five-for at the Gabba since Zaheer Khan’s 5/95 in 2003.
India's Washington Sundar (R) is congratulated by Shardul Thakur (L) after reaching his half century during day three of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Gabba in Brisbane on January 17, 2021. (Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --(AFP)
