Shoaib not required from June: PCB

"Shaharyar Khan has told Worcestershire that they would not require the Shoaib's services June onwards," Daily News quoted a PCB source as saying.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been allowed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to represent Worcestershire in the 2005 English county season, the board has informed the county.

HT Image

"Shaharyar (Khan, the PCB chairman) has told Worcestershire that they would not require the services of Shoaib June onwards, incidentally the month when the fast bowler's central contract with the board expires," Daily News quoted a PCB source as saying.

Worcestershire had signed Akthar as one of their overseas players for the 2005 season in November last year.

"Initially, when Shoaib had got an offer from Worcestershire for the season, the board had said he would have to be released for national duty if required in July-August for a proposed tournament in Morocco," the source said.

"This reply was sent to Worcestershire when they first inquired if Shoaib would be available for them without a break from June onwards after the Pakistan tour to the West Indies till the end of the English championship season (in September)," he said.

The paper wrote that the PCB had since changed its mind.

"But now apparently there has been a change of mind in the PCB as far as Shoaib is concerned. The message conveyed to Worcestershire in other words is 'we don't require him anymore'," the source added.

Akthar is required to report for county duty in Worcestershire from June 15 after the Pakistan tour of West Indies that ends around June 10.

"Now the main question is: will the PCB even renew Shoaib's central contract?" the source asked.