SHOAIB AKHTAR TO PLAY CRICEKT IN SINGAPORE

Pakistan’s former enigmatic pace bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, will again be seen in action in the invitational Twenty20 match, set to be played in Singapore this week.

According to sources, Akhtar, alongside opening left-handed batsman, Imran Farhat, has been invited by the Singapore cricket club to feature in the event, which will also see players from other countries.

Giving details about the T20 fixture, Farhat said, “I don't know much off the details but yes Shoaib Akhtar is playing as is Shane Warne."

The 29-year-old batsman said that the event will give him a good opportunity to regain match-fitness which he has been lacking for the past few months, as he has not been playing competitive cricket. He insisted that the practice in Singapore will make him fit for the upcoming domestic season in Pakistan as well.

Meanwhile in June, 2011, Akhtar, who retired from international cricket during the ICC World Cup 2011 in March, refused to take part in the inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL) as he insisted that he needed time to focus on his newly established business and was not interested in cricket anymore. However, he insisted that he was always prepared to help youngsters hoping to make the national squad.

Akhtar has always managed to attract big crowds and most organizers still want him to feature in their cricketing events. On the other hand, sources have revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again rejected the notion of giving the fastest bowler in the history of the game a proper farewell. According to PCB officials, Akhtar has already retired from International cricket and cannot be recalled to play one last game.

The 35-year-old Akhtar, played his last international game against New Zealand during a Group-A match in the World Cup, at  Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, on 8^th March, 2011, where the bowler was hit for 70 runs in nine overs, which also includes the 28-run bashing at the hands of Ross Taylor, in the last over.

After this performance, the bowler was dropped from the national squad for the remaining matches of the mega event as Pakistan managed to reach the semi-final by defeating the West Indies in the quarterfinals. Nonetheless, Pakistan’s World Cup dream ended after losing to India in the semi-final played at Mohali.