Shoaib Akhtar in doubt for Afro-Asia Cup

Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan fast bowler, is unlikely to take part in the Afro-Asia Cup in India next month, citing personal commitments. He added that he needs more time to recover fully from his knee injury, which ruled him out of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi later this month.

"I have some personal commitments in June, so it is unlikely that I will play, although these are international matches," Shoaib was quoted as saying by Reuters. "I have informed the Pakistan Cricket Board about this."

Shoaib was included in the Asian one-day squad for the Afro Asia Cup earlier this week after he told Cricinfo ten days before the squad was announced that he was confident of recovering in time. However, he later stated that he needed more time to get his rhythm back and was hopeful of playing in the one-off Twenty20 international against the Africa XI which precedes the three-match series.

"I have offered to play the Twenty20 match instead as it will give me a chance to bowl a few overs in competitive conditions,'' he was quoted by PTI. "I am fit but I want to be super fit and make a permanent return to international cricket.''