Shoaib Akhtar was on Thursday named in the 15-member Islamabad squad for the national Twenty20 Championship in Lahore despite the controversial fast bowler not paying the fine imposed on him by a Pakistan Cricket Board-appointed tribunal.

A Pakistan Cricket Board official warned on Thursday Pakistan will not hesitate to impose a life ban on its premier batsman Mohammad Yousuf if he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League.

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday hit back at former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq for what it termed were damaging remarks made by him against the current captain Shoaib Malik.

Pakistan Cricket Board said the ICC has taken the decision in favour of Pakistan and has decided to go on with the Champions Trophy as scheduled.

Pakistani medium fast bowler Mohammad Asif was again at the centre of doping scandal on Monday after it was disclosed that he had tested positive in a drug test during the IPL tournament.

Prospects of Pakistan holding the Champions Trophy are bleak after the blasts in Islamabad sparked fresh security fears among Australian cricketers and the International Cricket Council (ICC) making it clear that it would not compromise with the security of the players.

Projected a spoilt brat by the media, Shoaib Akhtar is actually a child in a man's body, says senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan who feels the maverick pacer is in desperate need of some privacy to get his career back on track.

The Pakistan Cricket Board made it clear on Friday that it has no plans to sack captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson, a day after the home team crashed out of the six-nation Asia Cup in Karachi.

Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday got a shot in the arm with the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani assuring foolproof security during the Champions Trophy in September.

In a moral victory for Pakistan cricket, the ICC has agreed in principle to convert the result of the 2006's controversial Oval Test between England and Pakistan into a draw from a forfeited win for Michael Vaughan's men.

Unwilling to accept even a reduced 18-month ban, maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has filed a writ petition before the Lahore High Court contesting the original five-year ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Former Test pacer Saleem Altaf, who was sacked by the Pakistan cricket Board on charges of leaking sensitive information, has started meeting with influential politicians of the country to force a change in the present cricket set-up in Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf says Shoaib Akhtar is free to appeal against the reduced 18-month ban and the hefty fine imposed on him by the PCB appellate tribunal for indiscipline.

Javed Zaman, adviser to the Pakistan Cricket Board on cricket at grassroots, has quit, citing personal reasons.

Detained Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif is likely to be deported back home next week after the Attorney General in Dubai gives a final verdict on the bowler by June 16.

The legal counsel of the Pakistan Cricket Board is confident that the appellate tribunal, hearing the appeal of banned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will deliver its verdict on Saturday.

Detained Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif will know on Sunday whether he will be charged with possession of drugs or allowed to return home even as a harried PCB continued to run from pillar to post to save the bowler from being prosecuted in Dubai.

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday dismissed media reports, which claimed that detained paceman Mohammad Asif has been charged for alleged possession of contraband drugs in Dubai.

Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar will have to undergo dope tests before the Asia Cup only if his appeal against the five year ban on him is upheld by the appellate tribunal, says a PCB official.

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has been offered a contract by Australian domestic side South Australia, their coach Mark Sorell said on Wednesday.

Concerned that the crammed international schedule may prompt top players to opt out of the upcoming Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken assurance from its counterparts in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh that the best teams would be sent for the event.