Pakistan's fast bowling ace Shoaib Akhtar was heading home Thursday after a visa glitch stymied his plans to launch a comeback with English county side Surrey, the player told AFP. Akhtar, who flew to London on Wednesday, said he was told by authorities at the airport that a working visa was needed for him to play in the English county side and his tourist visa was not sufficient.
The 33-year-old fast bowler was hired by Surrey until the end of the season. He was hoping that the stint will enable him to stage a comeback for the national team, having not played for Pakistan this year due to injury and a ban on discipline violation.
"I am disappointed, but there are rules to follow," Akhtar told AFP from London. "I will now complete the documents here and fly back to London possibly on Saturday. I am desperate to play for Surrey."
Surrey look set for relegation from Division One as they are bottom of the County Championship table 18 points adrift of Yorkshire with three matches to go. They recruited Akhtar for their last three matches. Akhtar said his arrival at Surrey was already delayed due to his mother's illness. "I wanted to reach there for the last four or five matches. I flew on Wednesday but this unfortunate thing happened," said Akhtar.
Akhtar had a turbulent 2008 as he was handed a five-year ban by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over a series of discipline violations in April. The ban was later reduced to 18 months with a fine. A court later suspended the ban but upheld the fine, paving the way for him to resume cricket. PCB said it had no objection to Akhtar featuring for Surrey.
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