PCB requests ICC to replace Shaoib, Asif

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has eventually sent a request to the International Cricket Council to replace fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif with Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat in their World Cup squad.

The PCB submitted its request late on Monday alongwith medical evidence of the injuries to Shoaib and Asif after a its medical commission examined the pace duo.

The medical commission, including Dr Sohail Saleem, consultant Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Waqar Farooqi and radiologist Dr Zia Farooqi, advised Shoaib and Asif at least three weeks rest for their knee and elbow injuries.

The commission said Shoaib had some tenderness over the medial joint line of left knee and there was evidence of loose bodies with several pieces of cartilage within the joint of his knee.

But cricket circles were surprised at the commission examining the two players in Lahore as the two had reportedly been to London twice to seek treatment for their injuries last month.

"The point is if they were examined and got even a second opinion in London than why were they examined in Lahore. Would not the medical feedback from the experts in London have been enough to send to the ICC," former Test player Javed Miandad said.