PCB delays announcement of Champions Trophy probables

KARACHI : Pakistan Cricket Board was on Monday forced to delay the announcement of its preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy here after paceman Mohammad Asif was once again caught in the doping net by WADA which had conducted tests during the inaugural Indian Premier League.

Sources close to the selectors said they had been told to wait for a final word on whether Asif should be considered for the preliminary squad but in all likelihood Shoaib Akhtar would be in.

"The availability status of few cricketers is still unconfirmed and hence the names of 30 players are likely to be announced on July 15," the Board said in a statement.

Both Shoaib and Asif figured in the 35-player squad, announced earlier by the Board. The deadline to submit the 30-player Test with the International Cricket Council ends on Tuesday and its not more than 24 hours left for selectors to prune up the list to 30-players.