Lahore, August 09: Chief selector Iqbal Qasim insisted that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has been hampered by injuries and disciplinary issues for quite some time, still has a future with the national side.
Qasim also said the beleagured pacer needs to prove his fitness to the selectors to make a sucessful return into international cricket.
”The door is not closed on Shoaib Akhtar, he can still play cricket for Pakistan in future,” the newly-appointed chief selector said.
”However what he needs to do is to prove to the selection committee that he is fit enough for international cricket,” he told PakPassion.net. Shoaib was left out of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka for being unfit, and was also ruled out from the 30-member probables’ list for next month’s Champions Trophy. Of lately, the pacer’s career has been beset with fitness issues. ”It is absolutely vital that Shoaib Akhtar performs well and on a regular basis in the coming domestic cricket season,” Qasim said adding, ”and proves to the selectors that not only is he bowling well and taking wickets, but he can maintain his fitness levels too.
It’s down to Shoaib to show us that he can get himself fit and bowl well.” The 33-year-old Shoaib last played for Pakistan in a one-day series against Australia in May. His chances of returning to the national side were hit after the emergence of quality fast bowlers in the country recently, including the 17-year-old Mohammad Aamer.
—–Agencies