Shoaib`s comeback bid delayed by rain

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will have to wait anxiously to prove his fitness before the national selectors after heavy rains today disrupted the first of three practice matches, which would form the basis for selecting the Pakistan squad for next month`s Champions Trophy.

Torrential rains today washed out the first of the Pakistan Cricket Board`s (PCB) schedule of three games, while the inclement weather has also cast a shadow on the chances of second match on Thursday.

"We are going to talk to the groundstaff at the Gaddafi Stadium and see what can be done," one national selector said.

The matches have been given special importance by the selectors and the PCB as Pakistan has to submit its final squad for the Champions Trophy latest by August 12.

"These matches offer us the only opportunity to assess the fitness and form of Shoaib, pacer Umar Gul and few other players," the selector said.

The focus, particularly, has been on Shoaib who was included in the 30-member preliminary squad for the biennial event by the PCB after much controversy over whether he should first pay the fine of USD seven million imposed on him by the appellate tribunal that reduced his five years ban to 18-months. Shoaib last played for Pakistan in India and his only cricket after December has been a couple of Twenty20 games where he struggled with his fitness after the opening match for Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural Indian Premier League.

The selectors are keen to see how the comes through in the trial matches and the same applies for Gul who has carried a rib cartilage injury since being forced out of the Asia Cup last month.

"We have to see how these two pacers fare as there are our main bowlers. The weather has disrupted our plans."

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi is also recovering from a wrist injury while opener Salman Butt has had an appendicitis operation.

Sources said the selectors might be inclined to include these players with fitness issues even if weather did not permit the trial matches because of the limited time left for the submission of the Champions Trophy squad.

To make matters worse, the Board is also struggling to arrange international exposure for the team as the scheduled three match ODI series at home against New Zealand in late August also appears to be doubtful after Kiwi cricketers expressed apprehensions over traveling to the strife-torn nation citing security issues.