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Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar Monday said he had not been consulted by the selectors before they "rested" Wasim Akram from the Asian Test Championship final.

I am told that the selectors tried to locate me but they couldn't find me. In they end, they named the team without my consent," Mudassar told reporters. Wasim has been rested from the forthcoming game despite being keen to play. Chairman of selectors Wasim Bari said Wasim lacked fitness, a claim the latter categorically denied.

"For me, it's a judgement which didn't include my opinion. Wasim when fully fit is the best bowler in the world. "I never feel comfortable going into a match without Wasim Akram," Mudassar said.

Sri Lankan manager Dav Whatmore was more than delighted that his batsmen would not be facing Wasim. It may be recalled that Wasim grabbed two hat tricks when the two teams played in the successive Tests of the inaugural championship in 1999.

"How many wickets he has taken? 414? He was walking with Muttiah Muralitharan at [Dubai] airport and I said to myself that's 820 wickets. "I think anyone who has taken 414 wickets in Tests and not playing for whatever reasons, is good for the opposition," he said.

© Dawn