Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled fit-again fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for the five one-day internationals and a twenty20 game against Australia in the United Arab Emirates later this month.
"Akhtar is super fit," chief selector Abdul Qadir told reporters Monday while announcing a 15-member squad. Akhtar, 33, has played just two one-day internationals in 16 months due to disciplinary and fitness problems. Nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express, Akhtar underwent a strenuous three-day fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore last week and impressed selectors with his pace.
"The doctor and physio told us that his fitness level has increased which is a good sign for Pakistan," Qadir said. "He also bowled four overs in the nets last Friday in front of the selectors and one of his deliveries was recorded at 149 km/h." In January, Akhtar made an unimpressive return to international cricket after 14 months out and he was subsequently dropped after taking just one wicket for 88 runs in two limited-overs games against Sri Lanka at home. He failed to complete his full quota of 10 overs in either of the games. He was later ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a knee injury.
Pakistan team: Younis Khan (capt.), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Fawad Alam, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Saeed Ajmal, Rao Iftikhar, Shoaib Akhtar.
Wed 22, April 2009: Pakistan v Australia 1st ODI at Dubai
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