South Asian Business news and information

There is just one week before World Cup Cricket 2007. All the participating countries are now busy with their last minute preparations except Pakistan. Pakistan is still busy in finalizing its squad for World Cup Cricket 2007. It is old news that Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are out of World Cup Cricket. Now, the good thing is that ICC has approved the inclusion of fast bowler Mohammad Sami and allrounder Yasir Arafat as replacements of these two players.

Independent Online reported:

Pakistan have received International Cricket Council (ICC) approval to include fast bowler Mohammad Sami and allrounder Yasir Arafat in their World Cup squad, a Pakistan Cricket Board said on Wednesday.

"We have clearance from the ICC technical committee to replace Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif," PCB director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf said, adding the replacements had left for the Caribbean and would join the team by Thursday.

Pakistani officials will be happy that there was no problem from ICC in this regard. Of course, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were the best bowlers in Pakistan. So, Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat will have a tough time to fit into their shoes.