Shoaib Akhtar to prove fitness ahead of Sri Lanka ODI series

KARACHI - Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar has been given another chance to prove his fitness ahead of the team selection for the one-day series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin July 30.

Pakistans interim chief selector Wasim Bari has asked Shoaib to attend a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore later Friday.

Bari, a former Pakistan Test wicket-keeper, is scheduled to go to Colombo soon to have a series of meetings with the Pakistan captain and coach before naming the 15-man squad for the five-match ODI series.

Shoaib is a bone of contention ahead of the team selection. The fast bowler, who turns 34 next month, has claimed that he is fully fit but there are serious doubts about his form and fitness.

That is the reason why Bari has made it clear that Shoaib will have to pass a fitness test to be eligible for Pakistan duty.

Bari wants to review the fitness and form of Shoaib before consulting the team management about his inclusion in the national team.

Earlier this week, it seemed almost impossible that Shoaib will be brought back in the Pakistan team after he failed to show up for a fitness test at the NCA.

“Shoaib could not come because of his mother’s illness and since his fitness and match form was not ascertained, the status will be conveyed to the team management,” Bari had said at that time.

Shoaib, who was withdrawn from Pakistan’s World Twenty20 squad last month after he developed genital warts, claimed he was ready to stage a comeback in the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

Shoaib has been plagued by injury and disciplinary problems and has not been a regular team member since 2007. He was dropped after Pakistans one-day series at home against Sri Lanka in January because of poor form.