Centrally contracted paceman must fund knee surgery himself
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is refusing to pay for Shoaib Akhtar's latest knee operation despite the fast bowler being centrally contracted.
Shoaib, 34, is scheduled to undergo surgery in England next week but the PCB says it will not pick up the bill for his treatment.
"There is a clause in the central contract that clearly states that players can only be provided medical treatment by the board when they sustain injuries while playing for the country," a PCB official was quoted by Reuters.
"Since Shoaib has not played for a while for Pakistan we can't cover his medical treatment."
Shoaib's international career has been derailed in the last two-and-a-half years by a succession of fitness and disciplinary problems.
"Unless he plays and proves his fitness (in Pakistan domestic cricket) he cannot be considered for any future competition," chief selector Iqbal Qasim said.
