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Pakistan captain Waqar Younis Sunday took a swipe at Shoaib Akhtar and refused to accept that his team would be underdogs in next month's tournament in the absence of the temperamental fast bowler.

"It (Pakistan team) is not a one-man show. We play on total team effort and if Shoaib or anyone has illusions that he (Shoaib) is indispensable, then he is mistaken," Waqar said from Lahore.

Shoaib Akhtar decided to skip next month's tri-nation series in Tangiers saying he needed a break from international cricket and flew to England. It is anticipated that he is playing matches for cash-rich Lashings club.

"Pakistan has a lot of young and promising players who have the ability to rise to the occasion. Naturally, it is disappointing to lose a match-winner like Shoaib. But then we have to move forward and forget about him, at least for the time being" Waqar said.

Waqar said he had little knowledge of what transpired between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Shoaib that led the pacer to proceed to England immediately after a Presidential reception earlier this month.

"I don't know nor I want to know. But had I been in Pakistan, I would not have let it happen. I don't know under what pressure or circumstances he was allowed to skip the tour. "I don't buy the theory that he needs break from international cricket. Pakistan has played very little cricket in the last eight months, so the excuse of being tired is lame. "And if Shoaib is to be believed that he was feeling weak in his legs, then he should have stayed back in Lahore and trained with the boys. I think the facilities here are marvellous."

Waqar, while admitting that he was unhappy and disappointed at the saga revolving Shoaib, said he played top grade cricket for Pakistan as well as in County Championship at the same time but never demanded break from international cricket.

"I believe the fast bowlers should play regular cricket because that helps them maintain the extra fitness besides the rhythm and speed. Now Shoaib will come after three weeks and will require another three to four weeks to get to his best. By that time the Kenyan tournament would have been over," he opined.

When asked why he didn't convince Shoaib to change his mind, Waqar replied: "It's not my duty. If Shoaib feels he needs rest, then its fine with me. But I must admit that I am not happy with the decision of the PCB.

"If Shoaib, as some say is playing cricket for Lashings, becomes unfit, then who would be responsible. After all, the PCB has spent lots of money on his fitness," he said.

Waqar advised Shoaib to get his act together and start taking his cricket seriously. However, Waqar said it was time that the PCB learns from Shoaib's controversy and introduce central contracts system.

He said when he met his rivals captain at Lord's a fortnight ago, he felt uneasy when the issue of players' central contracts came up. "All the Test playing countries have introduced central contracts systems which have helped them keep their players under control. If we also had contracts, Shoaib or four players who went to United States for double wicket would not have left the camp. They would have been bound to be available for Pakistan.

"I strongly feel that this should be introduced with immediate effect," Waqar said while denying that permission to Shoaib and four players to skip the camp had created resentment amongst the camp trainees.

"My players still take a lot of pride in representing Pakistan. Besides, it is a well-knit team and everyone looks after each other," he said.

© Dawn