By Shahid Hashmi BBC Sport Online

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has criticised fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for withdrawing from the one-day squad.

Waqar has taken a swipe at Shoaib for pulling out of a triangular series saying he was tired - and then signing a lucrative contract to play for English pub side Lashings.

Waqar said: "The Pakistan team is not a one-man show and if Shoaib Akhtar or anyone has any illusions that he is indispensable, then he is mistaken.''

The triangular one-day series is a warm-up to the World Cup and will be contested in Tangiers, in Morocco, from 12-21 August between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

It will be the first time international cricket will have been played in north Africa.

Younis said: "It is disappointing to lose a match-winner like Akhtar but then we have to move forward and forget about him, at least for the time being and try some other youngsters."

Shoaib is said to have asked for time off from the tournament but this request was turned down by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

He decided to fly to England anyway and is set to play for Lashings.

Shoaib believes he should be allowed time-off and earn money by playing club cricket.

He said he was only following in the footsteps of Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq, who were rested for the recent Australia tour.

Binding contracts

And Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi were give permission to feature in a double wicket tournament in USA.

Waqar said: "I don't buy the theory that he needs break from international cricket.

"Pakistan have played very little cricket in the last eight months, so the excuse of being tired is lame.

"I believe the fast bowlers should play regular cricket because that helps maintain the extra fitness besides the rhythm and speed.

"Now Akhtar will come after three weeks and will require another three to four weeks to find full form and by that time we would be playing Australia in Kenya."

Waqar said the remedy to avoid such controversies is to bind players to contracts.

Pakistan squad for Morocco tri-series: Waqar Younis (capt), Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Afridi, Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Razzaq, Taufiq Umer.