Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq has denied any rift between him and express pacer Shoaib Akhtar and said that the fast bowler was key to the team's success on its upcoming tour of India.
Inzamam rubbished media reports that some of the players did not want Shoaib in the team, and said the decision to whether include the player or not should be based on form and fitness.
"I am surprised to read reports that we have threatened to boycott the tour if Shoaib (Akhtar) is in the side, it's not true. We have never had any such discussions," the captain was quoted as saying in The News.
"If he (Shoaib) is fit -- and that is for the doctors and selectors to judge -- he should be in the touring side because he is our main strike bowler and will be valuable to us on the Indian pitches and against their batsmen.
"We need to take our best side to India and I would want Shoaib and (Mohammad) Sami if hopefully they are fit."
Inzamam denied that his relations with 'The Rawalpindi Express' was strained.
{{/usCountry}}Inzamam denied that his relations with 'The Rawalpindi Express' was strained.
{{/usCountry}}"There are no problems between us. He is there to perform, likewise it is the same with me," he said.
"If it has been suggested that he should reduce his run-up, it is in the team's interest but it's a suggestion and not an order."