Friday, September 14, 2001 There will be no-one more disappointed than Shoaib Akhtar at New Zealand's decision to postpone their trip to Pakistan. He cannot have believed his luck when his reward for barely making it on to the pitch in the last two years, and having successive run-ins with the management, was to be named as captain of a team of hopefuls in a one-day warm-up game against the Kiwis.

This elevation of Pakistan's "six-million rupee man" to the captaincy tells you all you need to know about the wisdom of Wasim Bari's selection panel and the clever-clogs at the PCB who sanction those decisions. A man who was pulled out of the one-day squad to test his fitness and attitude was being placed in charge of youngsters who need grooming and guidance. The mind boggles. You wonder if Shoaib even knows how to toss.

With America's finger of accusation and lust for revenge directed firmly at Osama bin Laden and his hosts the Taleban of Afghanistan, it is perfectly understandable that New Zealand should opt to watch CNN from home. If an attack is launched on Afghanistan, there are likely to be major protests in Pakistan (although having been to Kabul, I don't quite know what there is left to bomb, either in terms of infrastructure or morale). While it is difficult to imagine why the Black Caps would be targeted, sacrificing three one-day games for peace of mind is difficult to argue with.

But the Kiwis do have a history of pulling out at the first whiff of danger, and the decision to withdraw their A team from India's domestic competition makes no sense unless it is designed to soften the blow to Pakistan. By the end of the month the political situation will be clear and New Zealand should have little excuse not to honour their commitment to play three Tests in October. Pakistan are already planning to move the first Test from Peshawar, home to countless Taleban sympathisers. Arguably though there is a stronger case for England to steer clear of Zimbabwe than for New Zealand to avoid Asia.

His captaincy ambition foiled, at least Shoaib can return to his favourite pastime: exercising. Pakistan also have Mohammad Zahid back from injury, Mohammad Sami soon to return from injury, and Shabbir Ahmed rehabilitated after a brush with ICC's illegal-deliveries panel, so Shoaib's place is no longer assured. If he does return to full form and fitness, Pakistan will be able to unleash a fearsome four-pronged pace attack, the like of which has never emerged from Asia. They have the firepower; if only they could find an enemy.

Kamran Abbasi, born in Lahore, brought up in Rotherham, is the assistant editor of the British Medical Journal.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd