'Spent force' Akhtar unlikely to retain PCB's central contract

Lahore, Jan.15 (ANI): Temperamental Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar is unlikely to be offered a central contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt has made it clear that some of the 'non-performing' senior players would not be considered for the central contract when the board finalises the list for the players for the contract later this week.

Butt, while describing Akhtar as a spent force, said the board will concentrate on the young blood in the team, and would encourage them by offering them the central contract.

"I can only say this much that we will certainly try to encourage new and young players while giving out the contracts because it is time we look ahead to the future. Shoaib is not the force he once was and neither is he fit or playing any cricket. So there is really no grounds for retaining him in the list of contracted players," The Daily Times quoted Butt, as saying.

The Rawalpindi Express (Akhtar) was placed in the 'A' category of players when the board offered the contracts to the national cricketers and received 250,000 rupees monthly besides the match and tour fees and other perk and bonuses.

Akhtar last played for Pakistan in April 2009. (ANI)