Shoaib Akhtar up for sale, says Buchanan

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will put up Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar for sale for the coming edition of Indian Premier League (IPL).

"We don't have room for both Umar Gul and Shoaib in the pace department. Shoaib is up for trade," KKR coach John Buchanan told reporters here on Monday.

The trade window for the second edition of the IPL closes Jan 22. If there are no takers for Shoaib, the KKR management may have to buy back the contract amount given to Shoaib to release him.

Buchanan praised Shoaib, saying the Pakistani bowler had made a deep impact in the maiden edition of the IPL and was a potentially good player for the Twenty20 version of the game.

Buchanan, who was speaking to reporters after the first day of the three-day trials for KKR at the Eden Gardens, said there would be another camp in Feburary before the team management comes out with the consolidated list of players in March.

The Aussie said the team had learnt its lessons from last year's experience. "This time we are taking into consideration more of Twenty20 and the domestic circuit. There will be a strong blend of Indian players in the team this time around."

While he expressed satisfaction with the quality of players in the camp, Buchanan said the next two days "should be more of an indicator of the quality on display".

On Mohammad Azharuddin's son Asaduddin, who was the cynosure of all eyes at the trials, Buchanan said the young batsman had an "impressive attitude" and came from a rare pedigree, but still had a lot to learn.

Asked about KKR's plans to recruit former England one-day captain Adam Holioake, the coach said: "Since he is an international player he can be roped in by any of the franchisees".

To another query, Buchanan said the foreigners in the top order who were a certainty for the side were Ricky Ponting, Chris Gayle, Brendon Mccullum and Mike Hussey.

Buchanan said among those who took part in the trials on Monday were two ambidextrous players - Mohammed Ebrahim Sanuth and Vikas Chauhan.

While Sanuth bowls left arm medium pace and right arm spin, Chauhan can bowl pace with both hands.