Shoaib Akthar has the last laugh

You cannot help but admire Shoaib Akthar.

The PCB after holding out for so long finally succumbed to Shoaib’s brinkmanship and gave the go ahead for his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.

Just look at the sequence of events.

• Shoaib Akthar is banned for indiscipline.
• 
  
• He challenges the PCB ban in a court of law.
• 
  
• The PCB backs down slightly and lets him play in the IPL.
• 
  
• Shoaib’s ban is overturned and he gets away lightly with an 18 months ban and a fine of 7 million Pakistani rupees.
• 
  
• The challenge to this ban is still pending in the high court, but Shoaib is allowed to play until the court passes its judgment.
• 
  
• Meanwhile, PCB takes the high moral plane and refuses to select Shoaib Akthar for the Champions Trophy unless he pays the fine.
• 
  
• Shaoib goes incommunicado and PCB backs down further and asks him to take a dope and fitness test.
• 
  
• Shoaib passes both and the PCB has no other recourse but select him for the Champions Trophy.
• 
  
• PCB saves its face by claiming that the Chairman has made the Shoaib selection possible by accepting Shoaib’s request to pay the fine later.

In short, Shoaib Akthar got what he wanted. He is reinstated in the team and the small matter of 7 million Pakistani rupees will doubtless be waived if he puts in a good performance.

Shoaib however, had a stroke of luck. If Asif had not messed his career by drug allegations it is doubtful whether the PCB would have made his comeback painless.

We heard the overture in June, the fanfare in July - and now we really do hope we have heard part of the final chord. After all the brinkmanship, this is good news. - Stephen Rand