Iftikhar replaces paceman Shoaib

Shoaib has been beset by injuries since his international comeback

Shoaib Akhtar has been withdrawn from Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 because of a genital infection and replaced by seamer Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

Paceman Akhtar, 33, was due to join the 15-man squad for a six-day training camp last week but was advised to rest.

"We have pulled him out of the World Twenty20 on the basis of a medical report," said a spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan are in Group B of the World Twenty20 with England and the Dutch.

A PCB press release stated that a medical board had assessed Shoaib, that he had undergone electrofulguration - a surgical procedure to destroy tissue by electric current - and will be reassessed in the first week of June.

Shoaib's ailment continues a frustrating run of injuries since he had his 18-month ban, imposed by the PCB for ill-discipline, reduced to a suspended term last year.

He missed the one-day international series against West Indies in October with a calf injury and the ill-fated Test series against Sri Lanka in March with a knee complaint.

Shoaib returned in the recent one-day series against Australia, but took just three wickets in five matches at an average of 50.66.

He was sent home from Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad in South Africa two years ago after assaulting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before the tournament had started.