The former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has been dropped for the forthcoming tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Akram, one of the world's leading pace bowlers with 334 test wickets to his name, captained Pakistan to a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies late last year. He took 17 wickets.

The new captain, Rashid Latif, said he had played no part in the decision.

According to one selector the Pakistan Cricket Board were behind the decision.

"It is up to the cricket board," he said. "I have no background as to what transpired for the authorities to take such an extreme decision."

As yet, no reason has been given for dropping Akram, who last led his country in the Champions' Trophy tournament in Sharjah in December.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the final after losing to West Indies and the eventual winners, England.

Earlier this month Akram was quoted in a newspaper interview as saying he would never lead Pakistan again but would still be available as a player.

He also called for a top-level inquiry to clear his name over match-fixing and betting allegations. He said he had no objection to appearing before a high-level committee because he knew he was "being framed in certain quarters".

On Sunday Pakistan leave for South Africa where they will play three tests.

They will then travel to Zimbabwe for two tests and three one-day games before returning to South Africa to take part in a triangular series also involving the world champions, Sri Lanka.

Squad:

Rashid Latif (capt), Aamir Sohail, Saeed Anwar, Ali Naqvi, Ijaz Ahmad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Moin Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Yousuf Yohanna, Waqar Younis, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmad, Saqlain Mushtaq.
 

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