Akhtar omitted from Pakistan one-day squad

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been left out of Pakistan's squad for a triangular one-day series in Morocco this month due to injury concerns, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.

Announcing a 15-man squad for the first international cricket tournament ever to be held in Tangiers, PCB Director Chishty Mujahid said Shoaib had leg problems.

"He had some problem with his legs and wanted to take a rest. He has been allowed to skip the tournament after the board consulted its medical panel," said Mujahid.

Shoaib is expected to be recalled for another triangular one-day series in Kenya starting on August 29.

Pakistan face South Africa and Sri Lanka in the Morocco tri-nation tournament which will run from August 12 to 21.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq have been recalled by Pakistan for Tangiers after missing the one-day series against Australia in June because of county commitments in England with Middlesex and Surrey.

The Pakistan selectors have opted for four specialist all-rounders -- Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Azhar Mahmood and Razzaq.

"The Pakistan team for the Nairobi event will be announced later on," Mujahid said.

Pakistan squad: Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Rashid Latif, Waqar Younis (captain), Wasim Akram, Mohammad Sami, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Saqlain Mushtaq and Misbah-ul-Haq.

Mail Cricket Editor