Tanvir to replace Akhtar

CRICKET: JOHANNESBURG, Sept 8, - Pakistan have asked for rookie all-rounder Sohail Tanvir to replace Shoaib Akhtar for the Twenty20 world championships starting here on Tuesday.

Pace spearhead Akhtar, returning to the Pakistani team after missing the World Cup in March due to injury, was ordered back home after a bust-up with new-ball partner Mohammad Asif at practice here on Thursday.

Pakistan have picked 22-year-old Tanvir as Akhtar's replacement and have applied to the International Cricket Council for approval, team sources told AFP on Saturday.

Tanvir, who hails from Rawalpindi, has yet to play an international match but has taken 65 wickets in 19 first-class games over the last three years.

A left-arm seamer and left-handed batsman, Tanvir also has a first-class century to his credit and is regarded as one of Pakistan's most promising juniors.