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LAHORE, July 13: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was ruled out of next month's triangular one-day tournament in Tangiers amidst contrasting reports.

Team manager Yawar Saeed, known for misleading the mediamen Saturday said the paceman was struggling with injury in the lower half of the body. Nevertheless, Shoaib's brother, Shahid Akhtar, contradicted Yawar's statement claiming his younger brother had taken a break from international cricket.

"Shoaib left for England after seeking permission from chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He is absolutely fit and reports that he is unfit are baseless," Shahid said from Rawalpindi.

He added: "He has taken a month lay-off from international cricket because there is a gruelling cricket ahead. He wants to concentrate in those events, including the World Cup." However, late evening developments revealed that Shoaib had decided to skip the Moroccan tournament on pay dispute.

Officials, requesting not to be identified, said Shoaib told the PCB chairman that some of the players, including Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq, were being allowed to play county cricket and at the same time were being picked for Pakistan.

"Shoaib has told the PCB that the two boys were making money from both the sides and he also deserved the same opportunity.

"The chairman (Lt Gen Tauqir Zia), not pleased with his argument, has allowed him to go to England, earn money by playing club cricket for Lashings and skip the tournament" insiders said.

Ironically, Shoaib recently received Rs900,000 cash award from Pakistan authorities besides his share from the win bonus from the Super Challenge-II Series.

While the PCB awarded Rs400,000 each to all the 13 players, President Gen Pervez Musharraf announced an additional Rs500,000 award for every player during a reception in Islamabad Thursday.

It is estimated that each player who went to Australia last month earned around Rs1.5million, including match fee, tour fee and other benefits.

Shoaib had also quit the Pakistan team last year when he preferred to play for Lashings after failing to acclaim top fitness. Yawar Saeed then had blasted Shoaib and had questioned his commitment.

It was immediately not known if the PCB would refer Shoaib's case to the disciplinary committee. The Rawalpindi Express has a history of indiscipline acts and has been penalized on several occasions.

While Shoaib's brother pleaded the fitness of the pacer and PCB officials confirmed there was a dispute over money, Yawar Saeed insisted that the pacer contacted him Saturday morning and expressed his inability to join the camp.

"Shoaib was saying that he had something wrong with his legs and needed one month rest. He will not be considered when the selection committee meets to pick the side the three-nation tournament," Yawar said, adding: "He will, however, be available for the tri-series against Australia and New Zealand late August if held."

Yawar said Shoaib, who played a key role in Pakistan's 2-1 win over Australia last month, was continuously delivering his best for the last eight months.

"Shoaib's bowling action puts extra burden on his legs and therefore the bowler's lower part of the body always creates problems for him," he said.

Shoaib had missed the first match indoors because of a hip strain, Yawar recalled.

While admitting that Shoaib's absence will be a setback for Pakistan, he said the team management would not ask for Shoaib's replacement as there were already 18 probables in the camp. But Shoaib's absence means Wasim Akram is the only strike bowler left who will also be leaving Tuesday evening to participate in the double wicket tournament in Florida.

Skipper Waqar Younis is already in England for the ICC captain's conference.

The Tangiers tournament will run between Aug 12 and 21 with other participating teams being South Africa and Sri Lanka.

© Dawn