Shoaib's omission in 'players profile' surprises media

Kolkata, May 14 (UNI) Shoaib Akhtar was a surprise omission from a ''player profile'' souvenir distributed at the press box on a night, that saw the Pakistani speedster emerge ''Man-of-the-Match'' in his debut IPL T20 match.

The Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens here by 23 runs yesterday.

As reporters were groping for details if any previous landmark after Shoaib's 3-0-11-4 spell, the souvenir, compiled by event management group Adfactors Public Relations and dedicated to Kolkata and Delhi players, found nothing about the overseas bowler.

The 46-page souvenir, containing profiles of 25 Kolkata Knight Riders and 21 Delhi Daredevils' players, was meant to enable the sports scribes to write background if situation demanded.

A Delhi based reporter, who had to catch deadline at 1200 hours, said,'' What was use of such stuff (souvenir) when his requirement did not materialise.'' When contacted, the person, who distributed the souvenir, was unable to provide the details on Shoaib's exclusion.

The souvenir has profiled almost all probables, including KKR West Indian captain Chris Gayle and many others, who had never donned the IPL colors.

UNI PC PP AB RN1744