Lahore, June 01: Shoaib Akhtar is set for a comeback after a one-year gap and the maverick pacer is likely to get a call in the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup.
Pakistan selectors are to announce a 15-member squad on June 3 and according to sources, Akhtar is set to make a come back for the Asia Cup that kicks off in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from June 15.
The 34-year-old Shoaib last played for Pakistan in a Twenty20 International against Australia in Dubai on May 7, 2009. But thereafter, he was overlooked for a number of important assignments including the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 championship in England, the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa and the twin tours of New Zealand and Australia.
Shoaib bowled a few impressive spells during the Pentangular Cup one-day tournament in Karachi and was later included in a 35-man preliminary squad picked by the national selectors for the Asia Cup and a marathon tour of England.
‘The News’ quoted sources as saying that captain Shahid Afridi believes that a fit-again Shoaib can be a potent weapon in Pakistan’s bowling arsenal for ODIs and Twenty20 matches.
”Having regained his fitness, Shoaib has proved that he still has that sting that can unsettle batsmen. Afridi is of the view that Shoaib fits in his game plan which is to play aggressive cricket.
”He believes that if Shoaib bowls a fiery spell with the new ball and can get a few breakthroughs then other bowlers like Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir can capitalise on it,” said the source.
Another fact that is favouring Shoaib is that Umar Gul remains highly unlikely to catch a flight to Sri Lanka. The lanky pacer is still recovering from a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.
”Gul’s unavailability will mean that Pakistan will have a slot for a fast bowler for Asia Cup and that will create a place for Shoaib,” he added.
——Agencies