Shoaib set to withdraw from Afro-Asia Cup

CRICKET: KARACHI, May 12 - Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar is set to pull out of the three-match one-day series between representative sides from Asia and Africa in India next month.

Shoaib was named in a 14-member Asian squad led by Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena to play matches in Bangalore and Chennai from June 6-10.

"I have some personal commitments in June, so it is unlikely that I will play. Although these are international matches," Shoaib told reporters on Saturday. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the squad on Friday for the event recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Shoaib was left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad earlier this year because of a knee injury and has played just one test and four one-dayers in the last 14 months because of injuries.

The 31-year-old, who has taken 169 test and 208 one-day wickets said he was no longer injured but wanted to be fully fit before committing himself to an international match.

The player is also unavailable for Pakistan's one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi from next week.

The ACC and the African Cricket Confederation launched the Afro-Asia Cup in August 2005 to raise funds for cricket development in their continents.

The matches in India would be the second series between the two continental sides.

(Reuters)