Shoaib Akhtar could not have chosen a better day than today to display an outstanding bowling effort.

Saleem Jaffar, who had kept Shoaib along with many others on a close watch in the on going Pentnagular Cup, had announced that the squad for the 3 ODIs against the West Indies will be selected after a meeting in Islamabad today.

Saleem Jaffar along with Ijaz Ahmed and Intikhab Alam are in Islamabad watching the Federal Areas vs Punjab game.

It was openly known that the selectors and the coach chose to watch this game at the ground to have a look at Shoaib Akhtar.

But no one thought that Shoaib would be able to impress. His fitness was lacking, the stamina wasn't there, the determination was, but that was just not enough.

It was over for Shoaib. Even I thought so last week.

However, as he has done so in the past, he chose the perfect day to lead his team to a probable victory.

As the 3rd day of the match began, Punjab resumed their innings at 33-1, 126 runs ahead of Federal Areas with 9 wickets and 2 days to go in the match.

At the crease were Salman Butt, fresh from his 155 in the first innings, and Umar Akmal.

It didn't take Shoaib Akhtar & co. long to send the Punjab batsmen packing to the dressing room for 144 allowing their batsmen a day and a half to chase 238 for an improbable victory against a strong Punjab team.

Shoaib picked up 4-14 in 10 overs of hostile pace bowling, while Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar picked up 3 wickets each.

Shoaib was the most impressive out of the lot bowling at extreme pace and picking up the wickets of Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, and Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik.

(Scorecard)

Shoaib was ecstatic after his performance and this surely would have sealed his spot for the tour to Abu Dhabi.

I honestly did not expect Shoaib to make it but he has.

Saleem Jaffar can surely not deny him after todays performance and I can't wait to watch him in full flow here in Abu Dhabi in just under 10 days.

Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir, both of whom are being "closely montitored" by Saleem Jaffar and his selection committee, had good days out on the field on the 3rd day of the RBS Pentangular Cup.

While Tanvir helped Federal Areas restrict Sindh's lead to 40 odd runs with a 5 wicket haul, Gul demolished Baluchistan with a haul of 6-39 leading NWFP to a crushing innings victory.

Gul is captaining the side in Younis Khan's absence, who is helping out South Australia down under, and has been put on a fitness watch by Saleem Jaffar.

This effort of his should remove any doubts Jaffar had.

Tanvir's 5-100 is also promising as he was up against a powerful Sindh batting line up.

Shoaib Akhtar, who took 4 spells to complete 9 overs the other day, bowled another 4 overs yesterday and picked up another wicket.

I wonder if Jaffar thinks that his stamina is improving.

Afridi, captaining the defending champions Sindh, is on a form watch, and I doubt his effort of 17 in the first innings would have done Jaffar proud.

But then why is Afridi's batting form being assessed again?

Stay tuned for updates on Jaffar's monitor during the Pentangular Cup.

The RBS Pentangular Cup started 2 days ago with the defending champions Sindh taking on Federal Areas and NWFP taking on Baluchistan.

Saleem Jaffar, the chief selector, has stated that he and his selectors are going to closely monitor the performance and fitness of some players during the Pentangular.

Based on their assessment they will then select a squad for next month's ODI series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi.

Out of the players being closely watched, one is Faisal Iqbal.

Why exactly?

Another is Shoaib Akhtar.

Understandably so.

Shoaib bowled 9 overs during day yesterday. He took 4 spells to bowl those 9 overs. Sohail Tanvir bowled 20 during the same time, and Rao 19!

Saleem Jaffar who was present at the ground said "He is just lacking in stamina".

You gotta be kidding me man!!

Shoaib has been lacking in stamina for the past decade! Thats been his only problem.

Thats our chief selector and thats what he concludes after "CLOSELY MONITORING" a performance?