Shoaib asked to prove match-fitness

KARACHI: A Pakistan Cricket Board official on Saturday made it clear that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would be allowed to take part in next month's Afro-Asia one-day cricket series only after he proves his full match-fitness before leaving for India.

Shoaib, after initial reluctance to play in the series citing personal commitments and lack of match fitness, has now made himself available for the three-match series to be staged in Bangalore and Chennai from June 9.

"We have no problems with Shoaib playing for the Asia eleven. We know he has been training hard. Obviously, our medical panel is keeping tabs on him. Plus it is also the responsibility of the Pakistani selector on the ACC selection panel to see he is fully fit," PCB spokesman Ehsan Malik said.

"The Board would satisfy itself that Shoaib was fully fit as he was a senior and key player for the country," he added.

Shoaib, who has played just one Test and four one-dayers since appearing in the Karachi Test against India in February 2006 due to injuries and the doping scandal during the Champions Trophy, wants to return to international cricketing action with the series.

Shoaib said he was match fit and had been talking with former Pakistan captain and paceman Wasim Akram.

"Wasim feels the one-day series is a good opportunity for me to ease myself back into international cricket after a long-layoff. I want to pace myself in such a way I don't get injured again," he said.

Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif are the other Pakistani players named in the Asia eleven.