A war of words has broken out between three big names of Pakistan cricket with veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi describing former stars, Muhammad Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar as 'heckle and jeckle'.
Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was on Saturday asked by Pakistan Cricket Board to pay the fine of seven million rupees imposed on him or forget playing in next month's Champions Trophy.
With a moving farewell speech, Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar announced on Thursday that he will retire from international cricket after the World Cup.
The former Australian captain said Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif must be fined heavily if they are proven guilty of using banned drugs.
The Pakistan fast bowler said he was happy he found the rhythm that was lacking until now in the series.
The Appeals Commission hearing Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif's plea to overturn their ban for positive dope tests has deferred its verdict after failing to reach a consensus on Wednesday.
Critical of Shoaib Akhtar for announcing his retirement in the middle of the World Cup, Pakistan ODI captain Shahid Afridi today claimed the pacer did not consult the team before making his decision public.
Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said Pakistan Babar Azam, who is a big fan of Virat Kohli, should learn to play like his "idol" and convert good starts into big knocks by adapting to match situations the way the Indian captain does.
The Pakistan fast bowler said his availability for the Asia Cup tournament in July depended on the will of the PCB and the selectors.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said the fast bowler will undergo a fitness and attitude test to be considered for future selection.
Shoaib Akhtar passed the 100-wicket mark in Tests taking four for 30 to inspire Pakistan to a winning position against Bangladesh.
Pakistan's fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar has described as nonsense the free hit experimental law to be enforced in one-day internationals from October 1.
The Pakistan fast bowler was axed from the team for the Afro-Asia Cup because of fitness problems.
Pakistan, inspired by Shoaib Akhtar's first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket, beat Bangladesh by nine wickets to win the second Test match.
India will play a one-off ODI against India in Scotland next month.
Both teams are expected to play two spinners on a Sydney pitch that traditionally favours slow bowling.
Selectors also left out Mohammad Sami and included Moin Khan in a 17-member squad to be officially announced on Monday.
Tanvir, who took four for 47 in a one-day game against the touring Australian 'A' side in Sheikhupura, will fly to South Africa as soon as possible.
Former Pakistan speedstar Shoaib Akhtar believes Twenty20 cricket has caused immense damage to Pakistani cricketers affecting their techniques and also posing fitness issues for players.
Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq also found a place in the 30-member shortlist.
Strengthening their pace attack, the Pakistani selectors on Tuesday included controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and his fellow paceman Umar Gul in the final 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy.
The continuing freeze on Indo-Pak bilateral cricket is "frustrating", says Shoaib Akhtar but the former pacer does not agree with PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf's "politically incorrect" statement that the Indians are intimidated by the prospect of taking on an in-form Pakistan.
Shoaib Akhtar lambasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for bringing in 'average players'
There were suggestions that split captaincy is the need of the hour, wherein Kohli should continue to lead in Test cricket and Rohit Sharma be appointed as the leader in limited-overs formats.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has said that the International Cricket Council (ICC) would kill off cricket by trying to stifle fast bowlers with rules and regulations.
Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait said that his focus on short, sharp spells is the factor behind his speed and he is confident of pushing the radar gun further.
The retired judge appointed to head the three-member appellate tribunal, which will hear Shoaib Akhtar's appeal against his five-year ban, on Tuesday said the pacer would be given a fair hearing. Aftab Farukh, a former Judge of the Lahore High Court, said he is aware of the importance of the case but asserted that the tribunal would not be influenced by anybody and would only go by the evidence presented before it.
Pakistan's provisional squad for the World Cup in the West Indies also included Shabbir Ahmed who last month completed a 12-month ban for having an illegal bowling action.
Pakistan's coach said the ace fast bowler can return to the side only if he is full fit.
"When you have various restrictions, it is only fair to allow two bouncers," said the Pakistani fast bowler.
Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is all set to make yet another return to international cricket on June 3 when Pakistan will name their 15-man squad for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.
He had been feeling down since Inzaman gave him and the other bowlers a piece of his mind before the fifth day's play in Multan.
IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Shah Rukh Khan says, h has no clue about the allegations levelled against him by retired Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar, who has claimed that he should never have listened to the Bollywood star while joining the IPL.
The Pakistani selectors will make changes for the Twenty20 match and five ODIs following the Tests.
Pakistan strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar blamed a lack of pace support for him in the 1-0 Test series defeat in India and rejected former captain Imran Khan's criticism that he did not try hard enough.
Shoaib Akhtar proposed a closed-door series to jointly raise funds to fight the deadly virus both in India and Pakistan. Kapil Dev said the proposal is not feasible. He also said cricket should not even matter for at least the next six months.
The Lahore high court lifted an 18-month ban on Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for indiscipline. However, it did not remove the seven million rupees ($101,000) fine imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board appellate tribunal last month.
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