Akhtar to be considered for selection if fit: PCB

Lahore, Sep 8 (UNI) It seems as if good time is back for controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today noded to consider the pacer for selection into the national squad even if he doesn't pay the fine of Rs 7 million.

Last month, the PCB issued a legal notice to Akhtar asking him to either pay the fine imposed on him by the PCB-appointed appellate tribunal or forget a national call-up.

Speaking to mediapersons, Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said despite the notice, national interest would be put before everything else when it came to selection matters.

''Let's just say we will prefer to give national and team interest priority and the reports we have got about Akhtar from our team trainer and coaching staff at the national academy is very good. So if he is fit we will definitely consider him when time comes,'' Naghmi stated.

However, PCB legal counsel Taffazzul Rizvi had recently said Akhtar was selected for the Champions Trophy, which has been postponed until October next year, but condition of paying the fine first to play for Pakistan still lies.

The fine was imposed on Akhtar in June by the appellate tribunal which, however, reduced the five-year ban imposed on him by the Board's disciplinary committee to 18 months.

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