KOLKATA ( 2009-01-05 20:02:49 ) :With the current situation not conducive for Pakistan players, Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday said the team is not too keen on retaining Shoaib Akhtar and he was 'up for trade'.

With the Indian Premier League's transfer window now open, the eight teams can trade players among each other before submitting a final list by January 22.

"Shoaib is up for trade.... We cannot have room for two pacers (that includes Umar Gul)," Coach John Buchanan told reporters on the sidelines of their first day's selection trials at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Kolkata Knight Riders had already made their intention of selling Shoaib clear as the Pakistan speedster played just three matches for the Kolkata team and missed a couple of games due to injury in the first edition of IPL.

Shoaib was bought by Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata franchise for a staggering Rs 1.7 crore but the Pakistan pacer picked up only five wickets in the three matches that he played for the Knight Riders. His temperament and inconsistent performances thus may fetch a lower price for the Kolkata IPL team.



Copyright Aaj TV, 2009