Shoaib Akhtar to bowl 'full throttle' at Twenty20

Lahore, Aug 6 (UNI) Shoaib Akhtar is a certain starter for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next month and the 'Rawalpindi Express' will be knocking the blokes off at ''full throttle'' in the inaugural edition of the event, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Sidelined since January due to injuries and doping controversy, Akhtar recently joined a training camp in Karachi for the Twenty20 hopefuls. He failed to impress much in a practice match and, later, pulled out of the camp due to a stiff neck.

A PCB official, however, scoffed at media reports doubting Akhtar's participation in the Cup and said that the maverick paceman would be in the final 15.

''Shoaib had a stiff neck and the doctors advised him a week-long rest which is why he was allowed to leave the camp and go home,'' the official told 'The News'.

''Apart from the minor neck problem, Shoaib is fully fit and we are confident that he would be bowling at full throttle in South Africa,'' he added.

Pakistan's new coach Geoff Lawson also sees Shoaib as his team's most potent weapon. ''Akhtar is going to be a big part of the success of that team,'' Lawson had said in a recent interview.

The door is also not closed on all-rounder Abdul-Razzaq, who remains a strong contender in spite of the fact that he also left the camp because of a viral infection.

''Razzaq is one of our most experienced players. He is valuable both as a batsman and a bowler and certainly remains in contention for a place in the team,'' the PCB official said.

UNI