Shoaib Akhtar ruled out of charity match

[Beny]

http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_data...06JAN2005.html

Shoaib Akhtar has pulled out of the fundraising game between ICC XI and Asian XI to be played on at Melbourne on January 10. Shoaib ruled himself out after complaining of a hamstring injury.

Well this game is starting to fall apart a bit. Still worth going though. Wish the Englsih and South Africans were availible but their still both fantastic sides (Aisa and ROW). As a side note talk is of a 60-80,000 person crowd at the MCG. 20,000 tickets sold in the first few days.

[Seamer]

Shoaib - love the guy, he,s great for cricket but god he,s a sook. He,s so fragile you would think he,s made of crystal.

[Zainub]

I understand this is a kind of a show case game, but Shoaib is a very important player for us, and being a Pakistani fan I'm more comfortable with him missing out on the game and working on his fitness in gyms, and for a while keep him self away from the lime light as it were. Abdul Razzaq has already been added to the squad as his replacement, in his case, I hope he plays, coz he's had a bit of a time out from the game for bizarre reasons - he would actually benefit playing and getting some practice. Shoaib, on the other hand probably needs time out in the nets and work outs in the gym, not a match as high profile as this - he's already been in the news for all sorts of reasons in the past weeks.

In whatever case I'd be preety frustrated (and our coach angry) if any of our players hurt them selves playing in this match. I hope that doesn't happen.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Beny

20,000 tickets sold in the first few days.

This really is a splendid effort - the BBC reports today (Friday) that 56,000 tickets have now been sold and the ICC website claims that television coverage will be available in 122 countries - that must be nearly everywhere that cricket is played. I also see that the MCC has announced this afternoon that it will be running some "initiatives" of its own, including an immediate donation to the fund to reconstruct the stadium in Galle, fund-raising events in the Long Room at Lord's and a fund-raising game at Lord's once the English season is upon us.

[Zainub]

That's awsome OF, all we need now, is for the Rest of the World (half of it will be Aussies) team to lose, that would be the perfect icing on the cake

[Occasional Fan]

I think that the strong Aussie contingent in the RoW XI will make them pretty tough nuts to crack - but who knows? In games like these with scratch teams pulled together at short notice, anything can happen. And, to be fair, on this of all occasions, the result really is not the thing that matters, is it? I just hope everyone has a good day and that they all leave the ground with nothing in their pockets apart from the bus fare home. (Well, OK: it's Australia and it's summer time - let's allow them all a small beer on the way as well.)

[Zainub]

I agree OF, result doesn't matter that much at all, just that I would personally enjoy the game that small bit more if the Asian side wins.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

they have been made official matches so the results will go towards players rating and statistics. hopefully they will be more motivated to beat ROW!

[Shaka]

Whether Shoaib plays or not, the fantastic response of the Aussie crowds will make this a great occasion.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1

they have been made official matches so the results will go towards players rating and statistics. hopefully they will be more motivated to beat ROW!

Really, are you sure about that? Seems unusual for what is essentially a charity/exhibition fixture. Where did you pick that up R?