Shoaib Akhtar ignored by selectors for domestic tourney

Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's bid to return to the national side was dealt a blow after the selection committee ignored him for a five-team first class domestic tournament, commencing January 1 in Karachi.

The absence of Shoaib's name from the final list of players picked for the Rest of Pakistan side leaves a big question mark over the future of the pacer.

"The selectors are not going to consider him for the national team once again until he proves his form and fitness in domestic cricket. The question is whether will he get a chance to now play domestic cricket during the Australia series," one former player said.

Shoaib also failed to find a place in the other teams of the Pentangular Cup tournament -- Karachi, Sialkot, Habib Bank or Sui Gas.

"The selectors have mainly concentrated on selecting those players who performed well in the just-concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and some promising under-19 youngsters," a selector said.

Shoaib underwent knee surgery in England earlier this year and is also believed to have had liposuction to shed excess fat and weight, but the fast bowler denied having the cosmetic procedure and insisted he is fully fit and fighting.

The fast bowler is likely to suffer another setback next month when the Pakistan Cricket Board announces the new list of players who will get central contracts.

The board has said that only those who are active and playing for Pakistan or in domestic cricket will get the contracts.

According to sources, Shoaib, who is in the top category A in the present set of contracts, will be dropped from the new list of contracted players.

"Even the chairman of the board, Ejaz Butt, and chief selector Iqbal Qasim also believe that there would be no justification for giving Shoaib a new central contract as he has neither played domestic or international cricket since the last six to seven months," one source said.

The PCB has already constituted a three-member committee that includes chief operating officer Wasim Bari to finalise the modalities and terms and conditions of the new central contracts and recommend a shortlist of players who will be given new contracts.