Vaas opts out of Afro-Asia tournament

Chaminda Vaas, Sri Lanka's most successful fast bowler, has opted out of next month's Afro-Asia tournament. Kangadaran Mathivanan, Sri Lanka Cricket's secretary, said that that Vaas, who is currently involved in county cricket with Middlesex, informed the board that he will be unavailable.

Vaas becomes the second notable absentee from the Asia squad. Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan fast bowler, was earlier dropped on fitness grounds having been initially selected.

The series is due to kick-off with a Twenty20 game on June 5 followed by a three-match ODI series between the combined Asian and African continent teams at Bangalore on June 6 and at Chennai on June 9 and 10.

Vaas joined Middlesex to play in the early part of the English season before he returns to Sri Lanka mid-June to play in the home series against Bangladesh.