Iftikhar in for sidelined Shoaib

25 May 2009

Medium-pacer Iftikhar Anjum impressed in Pakistan's home one-day series against Sri Lanka in January 2009

Iftikhar Anjum has been approved as a replacement for Shoaib Akhtar in Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the World Twenty20.

Iftikhar, a 28-year-old seamer, has played one Test, 58 one-day internationals and one Twenty20 international against Bangladesh in Nairobi in September 2007.

Shoaib was named in the initial squad for the tournament, which takes place in England from June 5, but the Pakistan Cricket Board announced they had applied for a replacement to the ICC technical committee as the bowler had received treatment for a genital infection.

The 33-year-old, whose participation in the tournament has been in doubt after he struggled for fitness and form during the recent one-day series against Australia.

Pakistan play their first warm-up match against South Africa at Trent Bridge on June 1 before their first match of the World Twenty20 against England at Lord’s six days later.