Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has ruled himself out of Monday's fundraising match for the benefit of the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami because of a hamstring injury.
Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar is also likely to miss the game with an elbow injury, though he will travel to Melbourne for the match between a combined Asian XI and a World XI, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Thursday.
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Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was critical of Shoaib's performance and commitment in the third Test against Australia in Sydney and has repeatedly failed to convince the fast bowler to reduce his extremely long run-up.
Shoaib, who did not bowl in Australia's second innings after 15 wicketless overs in the first, defended himself on Thursday.
"I was in agony, I couldn't move," he said. "I had slept on the floor all night. I'm not letting anyone down. I love playing for my country and my commitment is always there."
While ticket sales are building towards a sell-out crowd of up to 80,000 at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, Cricket Australia said Tendulkar would travel for the game, but would not play because of an elbow injury.
"Sachin Tendulkar is coming, but it appears unlikely he will play," CA spokesman Peter Young said. "He has tennis elbow but he is still keen to come and provide his personal support for the game."
An Indian media report earlier quoted Tendulkar as saying he would play, but would not bat because of medical advice.
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