India's bid to win a 17th consecutive home Test series, however, hinges on the success of their three-pronged spin attack comprising Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
Reader Shailendra Singh spotted Shoaib Akhtar at Dubai airport.
Pakistan's interim selection committee on Wednesday snubbed controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar and recalled disgraced pacer Mohammad Asif to the preliminary 30-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, in South Africa later this year.
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar vowed on Wednesday to seek justice in court if the country's cricket board rejects his appeal against a five-year ban. 'I will not go down without a fight. If the board rejects my appeal I will go to the high court and Supreme Court to get justice,' he told a news conference.
With the Pakistan Cricket Board deducting a Rs 7 million fine from his annual salary, controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar was left with just $550 as match fees, bonus and contract fees in the year gone by.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is confident that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would be fit for the important tour of England in June.
After England tore the prediction books for an epochal 28-run victory in Hyderabad in the first Test, India now find themselves in a tight space, mentally and technically, ahead of the second match starting in four days in Visakhapatnam.
The Pakistan paceman was penalised for leaving a training camp without the team manager's permission.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, on Saturday, ridiculed Shoaib Akhtar and his controversial autobiography, which has made several tall claims, saying that the pacer was a 'problem' when he was an active player and remains just that even in retirement.
The Pakistani fast bowler, who was recalled from the Twenty20 World Cup on disciplinary grounds, is no stranger to controversy.
The Pakistani fast bowler had left a training camp in Karachi last Saturday without informing the team management.
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been left out of a Champions Trophy training camp after the Pakistan Cricket Board blocked his attendance over an unpaid fine. Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said the board had not cleared Shoaib to be among the 24-man party despite being named in the initial preliminary squad for the Sept 11-28 tournament.
PCB banned Shoaib Akhtar for two years and fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif for one year.
Both players have been told to stop talking to the media before their appearance next week at a doping tribunal.
While experts can be forgiven for stacking the odds against Pakistan -- and labeling it as a team that can at most cause an upset or two, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes his side has more quality than is perceived.
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik enjoyed batting practice in the nets with some local cricketers in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Ahmad Siddiqui, father of Ayesha, allegedly Shoiab's first wife, has threatened legal action against Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik if he does not give his daughter a divorce.
The Pakistan fast bowler claimed 4-36 as South Africa were bowled out for 124 in the first innings on day 1 of the second Test.
Indian tennis star Sania Mirza hosted a grand wedding reception at the Emerald Room, the grandest banquet hall of the Taj Krishna hotel in Hyderabad on Thursday.
Shoaib Akhtar believes the dope saga is behind him despite the matter lying before the Court of Arbitration for Sports
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has backed Shoaib Malik in his ongoing marriage row with Ayesha Siddiqui, saying the girl being shown on TV channels is not the one his team-mate fell in love with during internet and telephone chats.
Virender Sehwag sure did have a blast! And what an innings he came up with! In the process, he busted the bubble called Shoaib Akhtar.
Sania Mirza's spokesperson said that the Indian tennis star will marry Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik today, Monday April 12.
With speedster Shoaib Akhtar's chances of playing in the Indian Premier League looking dim, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Sourav Ganguly is banking on another Pakistani pacer, Umar Gul, to deliver the goods in the tournament beginning on April 18. "Umar Gul is in our team. He will serve us well," Ganguly told newspersons in Kolkata when asked about the Rawalpindi Express' absence from his side.
Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, facing a cheating case in Hyderabad, may not be able to leave the country soon as his passport is required by the police for verification following a criminal complaint by Ayesha Siddiqui, who claims to be his wife.
Surprise has given way to jubilation and Pakistan is now eagerly looking forward to its former cricket captain Shoaib Malik's marriage with Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza next month.
Young turks Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made the difference with the bat, while Jasprit Bumrah was devastating with the ball.
The Pakistan fast bowler been advised up to two weeks rest by the doctors after they had a second bone scan of his rib cage injury.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday ordered the release of the passport of Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik in the wake of the city police seeking closure of a cheating case filed against him by his now divorced wife Ayesha Siddiqui.
Putting an end to speculations of his foray into Bollywood, the Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar on Tuesday said he had no immediate plans to "act".
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar conceded that money and glamour can lead to youngsters going astray in international cricket but in some cases it is the system that turns players into "criminals".
A round-up of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final matches played on Monday.
Shoaib Akhtar appeared on the front page of a New Zealand newspaper jet-skiing when he was supposed to be recovering from injury.
Shoaib Akhtar is set to earn a place in Pakistan squad for their tour of India having completed a 13-match suspension.
Shoaib Malik's sudden decision to divorce the woman he disowned all along left everyone stunned but the Pakistan cricketer, now set to marry Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, on Thursday said it was the most "amicable" thing to do in a situation that was "beyond reasoning".
Frequent injury breakdowns and questionable off-field conduct could come in way of the fast bowler's selection for India tour.
Troubled Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's career is as good as over, bowling great Wasim Akram said on Monday.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances