August 07  
Akhtar to rejoin Pakistan team for Nairobi series 

NAIROBI: Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be available to play in the triangular one-day tournament starting in Kenya later this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) general manager in charge of cricket operations, Zakir Khan, confirmed here Tuesday. 

The injury-prone star had been left out of the squad for another Tri-Nation series starting on August 12 in Tangier, Morocco, due to injury concerns. The Nairobi tournament, which involves Pakistan, Australia and hosts Kenya, will be played at the Nairobi Gymkhana between August 29 to September 7. 

"Shoaib will definitely be in Kenya and it's my hope that Kenyan youngsters will be motivated and see the way he bowls," Khan told a press conference here. 

The former Test fast bowler arrived in Nairobi on Monday to hold discussions with the Kenyan cricket officials on the arrangements and to inspect the facilities for the tournament. 

Khan thanked Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi for his support to hold the troubled series, originally scheduled to be played in Pakistan, to be staged in Kenya. 

Moi revoked an earlier order by his Sports Minister Francis Nyenze to block the tournament being held in Kenya, claiming that the Kenya Cricket Association had been dissolved, and advised the PCB to deal with the Kenya National Sports Council. 

"This tournament will enhance your chances of being promoted to Test cricket," Khan told the KCA officials attending the press conference. He said the Pakistan team would arrive in Nairobi on August 24, five days before playing Kenya in the opening match of the series.