Slim chance of Akhtar returning to international cricket: Butt

November 19th, 2009 more images more imagesKARACHI - Pakistans cricket chief Ijaz Butt has ruled out the return of controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar to international cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman said Shoaib is already 34 and with a history of fitness problems is unlikely to make a comeback.

November 10th, 2009 more images more imagesISLAMABAD - Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Akram has backed controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar for the forthcoming tour of Australia, saying being one of the most experienced bowlers the country has, the selectors should give him a chance provided he is fit. In an interview with PakPassion.net, Akram said the tour down-under is one of most challenging assignments for a cricket team, which makes Akhtar a must for the tour.

October 12th, 2009 LAHORE - Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is undergoing a rehabilitation programme in London following a surgery on his left knee, is expected to get fit in time for the forthcoming New Zealand tour. Sources close to the temperamental speedster said he is trying his best to get fit and return to competitive cricket as soon as possible.

September 14th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ijaz Butt has said that he has had constructive talks with Emirates Cricket Board officials about holding a proposed ODI series against New Zealand there later this year. Butt, who is in London, said that he would officially announce the venues for the four One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches on Monday after returning home.

September 11th, 2009 LAHORE - Keeping in view the 2011 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to create a pool of top cricketers in order to have the best team ready for the mega event. PCB chief Ijaz Butt has made it clear that the pool would only include players who perform the best and give their hundred percent each time they take the field.

September 10th, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping that the meeting between its chairman Ijaz Butt and England Cricket Board (ECB) chief Giles Clarke would yield some positive results for Pakistan cricket. The PCB expects the meeting, which is scheduled to be held later this week, to be fruitful with regard to resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

September 9th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has discontinued its enquiry against controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for criticizing the team management on a television chat show. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told media persons here, that since Akhtar has admitted his mistake and apologized for the same, board has also decided to drop the inquiry.

August 13th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may rope in former opener Saeed Anwar to put its house in order. Anwar met PCB chief Ijaz Butt on Wednesday, following which speculations are rife that the former southpaw may get a key position in the board.

August 8th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Cricket Board's newly appointed chief selector Iqbal Qasim has stated that controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar still has a future in international cricket. Qasim said: "The door is not closed on Shoaib Akhtar, he can still play cricket for Pakistan in future, however what he needs to do is to prove to the selection committee that he is fit enough for international cricket." Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, he said the reports that the selectors received were that Akhtar was not fit enough to be eligible for selection for the 30 man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy and they took note of those reports accordingly.

July 19th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka beginning later this month. Interim cricket chief selector Wasim Bari observed Akhtar during a 'special' fitness test conducted here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but denied to recommend the pacers name for selection saying he lacked match fitness.

July 16th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has said he will continue to fight for Pakistan's right to host the 2011 World Cup. Butt said he would meet International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan in Dubai later this month and discuss the issue of Pakistan being denied hosting rights of the quadrennial event.

July 16th, 2009 KARACHI - Shoaib Akhtar has failed to appear for a fitness test which would have helped him reserve his place in the national team for the limited over series in Sri Lanka. Acting chief selector Wasim Bari said Akhtar skipped fitness tests on Monday and Tuesday.

July 13th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to seek legal advice on the recent statement of controversial fast bowler Shoiab Akhtar, in which he had blamed the board for maligning his image. According to sources, PCB chief Ijaz Butt has asked board lawyers to study Akhtar's statement, and find out whether his statements demand any legal action or not.

July 11th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may take disciplinary action against controversial fast Shoaib Akhtar for his remarks on the board's decision to axe him from the World Twenty20 Championship team. The final decision in this regard would be taken by the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, The Daily Times reports.

July 9th, 2009 KARACHI - Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has declared himself hundred percent fit, saying he would soon force his way back into the national squad. Akhtar, who was left out of World Twenty20 team due to a skin infection and was being referred to as a spent force by experts, said he would make his critics eat their words through his performances.