Shoaib Akhtar included in Pakistan ODI squad

25/08/2010

Shoaib Akhtar will be bringing some extra pace to the forthcoming England v Pakistan ODI series.

The former fastest bowler in the world has had his place in the 50-over and Twenty20 squad confirmed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with the first ODI set to take place at the Riverside on September 10th 2010 in front of fans with cricket hospitality packages.

Akhtar, nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, has been clocked as bowling at 100.2 miles per hour twice in the same match, earning himself an official world record in the process.

However, the paceman's career has also been tinged with controversy, meaning that his inclusion in the 16-man squad for the England v Pakistan ODI series may be surprising to some.

He has been banned on numerous occasions by the PCB following allegations of drug-taking and infighting with his team-mates in the national side.

Despite this, the 35-year-old may get the chance to spearhead the tourists' attack in the ODI campaign, alongside fellow fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Umar Gul.

Posted by Ted Walker