Shoaib Akhtar included in provisional squad for Canada T20 tournament

Karachi, Sept 18 (ANI): Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who is facing temporary suspension over non-payment of fine of Rs 70 lakh to the PCB, has reportedly been picked in the preliminary squad for next month's Twenty20 quadrangular in Canada.

The PCB has been demanding of Shoaib to deposit the fine for over a month now.

The Board is learnt to have chosen 20 odd players for the Canadian assignment, out of which 15 will be playing in the October 10-13 quadrangular tournament.

Shoaib managed to find a place in the provisional squad for the four-nation event as the selectors have given the names of all leading cricketers so that they can be issued Canadian visas ahead of the Pakistan team's departure for Toronto on October 8.

Shoaib's name will be included in the final squad provided he resolved the fine issue with the PCB ahead of the team announcement. Pakistan are expected to name their team for the Toronto event, reported The News.

The PCB has already made it clear that the Rawalpindi Express cannot return to national duty till he clears the fine. Shoaib's lawyers have assured the PCB that their client will try to resolve the issue soon.

According to a selector, he and his fellow selection committee members are not impressed with the fast bowler's showing in a county match he played for Surrey last week.

Also included in the provisional list are pacer Umar Gul, who is struggling to regain his fitness, and young all-rounder Fawad Alam. The Karachi-based Fawad was dropped for the Champions Trophy which was supposed to be played in September, but is all set to return to the Pakistan side as he is regarded as one of the country's best players in the twenty20 format. (ANI)