Saqlain may miss Kenya tourney

Pakistan's star off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq may not feature in Pakistan's bowling attack when the team takes part in the triangular one-day tournament in Kenya starting August 29.

Saqlain, who is presently appearing for Surrey in the English county championship, is reported to have conveyed to the Pakistan team management that due to his wife's pregnancy he wanted to skip the series in Nairobi in which Australia and Kenya would be involved.

Quoting sources The News daily reports that Saqlain has conveyed that while he would be available for the triangular tournament in Tangier, Morocco, scheduled from August 12, he wanted to skip the Nairobi event.

'The Pakistan management will discuss the matter with the national selectors and the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia this week to take a final decision,' The News quoted sources as saying.

Saqlain missed the three match one-day series with Australia in June as he was playing for Surrey. He will join the Pakistan team in London if selected for the triangular series in Morocco.

Sources said the Pakistan team coach was considering giving young leg-spinner Danish Kaneria more exposure in one-day cricket to cover for Saqlain's absence.

UNI