Pakistan uncertain about T20 event in Toronto

Karachi:

Uncertainty looms large over Pakistan's participation in the four-nation Twenty20 International tournament in Toronto next month with the PCB saying that they are still waiting for some documentation to be completed by the organisers.

According to a board official, this was one of the reasons why the selectors had delayed the announcement of the squad for the tournament to be held from August 14 to 17.

"We have given our consent to play in the tournament but apparently the organisers are facing some issues with the host country and some documentation is still awaited from them," the source said.

Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and Canada are due to take part in the four-day tournament that aims to revive international cricket in Toronto which was once the base for the famous India-Pakistan Sahara Cup One-day rubbers.

The selectors have also asked the board to give them clearance on the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul before they can be considered for the tournament.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi has also missed the training camp being held in Kakul ahead of the event for various reasons.

"His wife is ill and he has been worried about her health. He also is waiting for a MRI report on a strained wrist," the official said.

The flamboyant allrounder has been struggling with his batting form in recent months and had offered to drop out because of his form in the recent Asia Cup but the selectors persisted with him.

"Shahid's wrist injury is not that serious but he is more worried about his wife who has had a severe sinus problem and is also expecting," one source said.