Shoaib a 'thankless task' for Worcestershire

Shoaib, who "must play at least two first-class matches" to have any chance of making the Pakistan squad to face England, according to their coach Bob Woolmer, signed for the then director of cricket, Tom Moody. But Moody left New Road for Sri Lanka in June and Shoaib rarely performed forthe new coach, Steve Rhodes.

It is also claimed Shoaib caused dressing-room unrest by due to a lack of team spirit.

Elliott said: "Steve Rhodes inherited a thankless task when he took over having to deal with someone like Shoaib Akhtar.

"Players like that are no good to our club. In fact, Shoaib has been no good for any club he's been at. You can only wonder whether Tom Moody might have got the best out of him. But I don't think anyone could have handled him. He's a superstar and just does what he wants.

"It's all about team spirit and getting the dressing-room right and when you've got a bloke like Shoaib in there, it can cause mayhem."

Woolmer added: "I'm very satisfied with the bowlers. Shoaib will have to play in two games to confirm his fitness for England."