‘Shoaib has disciplinary problems': Inzamam

Shoaib Akhtar was left out of the Pakistan squad for the tour of West Indies on disciplinary grounds, Inzamam-ul-Haq has said. It was widely assumed that Shoaib had been left out because he was unfit. Akhtar, who had recovered from his hamstring injury, was asked to shed some weight to be fully fit.

"Shoaib has disciplinary problems and I believe no player is bigger than the team," Inzamam was quoted as saying by The News. "We've had these problems with him in the past and my concern is that it has a negative impact on other players also." Akhtar has been questioned several times in the past for his off-field activities and his approach towards the game.

Inzamam also brushed off the suggestion that the team would miss its spearhead. "What I learnt in India was that when every player contributes and you play strictly as a team, the absence of even the best player is not felt. In the West Indies to be successful we've to again play as a team and with spirit to do well. The strength of our bowling attack is not such a big issue."

Pakistan have never won a series in the West Indies and are scheduled to play in three one-day international and two Tests. The first one-dayer is on May 18 in St.Vincent.

Younis Khan will lead the side in the first Test, in the absence of Inzamam, who has to serve a one-match ban for showing dissent in the third Test against India in Bangalore. Inzamam remarked that Younis would find no difficulty in captaining the side. "Even if I'm not playing I'll be there involved in everything and the planning. As far as Younis Khan's ability to lead the side is concerned, he is a good future prospect and will be an asset for the team in future."