Shoaib included in squad to face Australia
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Shoaib Akhtar, who has recovered from his knee injury, has been included in the 15-man Pakistan squad for the five-match ODI series and a Twenty20 against Australia in the UAE, scheduled to begin on April 22, reports Cricinfo.
Shoaib was left out of Pakistan's squad for the tour of Bangladesh - which was suspended following unrest in the country - as he was declared unfit despite not requiring surgery. Shoaib would be returning to the side after three months; he last played against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series at home, and was dropped for the decider following failures in the first two games.
Abdul Qadir, the PCB's chief selector, said the decision to select Shoaib was made after the board's medical panel, including the team trainer David Dwyer, approved of his fitness. "He did well in the fitness tests conducted by the board and appears match fit. He is an experienced bowler and he is a big boost for the team," he said.
Shoaib was left out of Pakistan's squad for the tour of Bangladesh - which was suspended following unrest in the country - as he was declared unfit despite not requiring surgery. Shoaib would be returning to the side after three months; he last played against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series at home, and was dropped for the decider following failures in the first two games.
Abdul Qadir, the PCB's chief selector, said the decision to select Shoaib was made after the board's medical panel, including the team trainer David Dwyer, approved of his fitness. "He did well in the fitness tests conducted by the board and appears match fit. He is an experienced bowler and he is a big boost for the team," he said.