Islamabad, May 26: In the backdrop of the Pakistan Cricket Board's directive that players should give priority to their national team, paceman Mohammad Sami has said he would skip some of the matches with his county team Kent in order to play in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and a tri-series in Holland. Sami has intimated the county authorities that he would be unavailable for six to eight weeks from early July due to his commitments with the Pakistan team. Pakistan are scheduled to play in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka from July 15, followed by a tri-nation tournament in Holland in August, also featuring India and Australia. Kent has already called up New Zealand paceman Ian Butler on a short-term contract as a back-up player for Sami.
Besides Sami, a couple of other Pakistani cricketers, including speedster Shoaib Akhtar and spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are playing for various county clubs in England.
Bureau Report