Shoaib in Asia Cup squad?

Shoaib Akhtar has been named among Pakistan's probables for the Asia Cup, while Shahid Afridi has been sidelined, it was reported today. The News quoted unnamed board sources saying that Shoaib's inclusion in the side will depend on his fitness.

The move comes after Shoaib had publicly admitted that he had "lost the urge" to play in the Asia Cup, and it would be a while before he represented Pakistan again. He expressed disappointment over the manner in which the board had treated him after the ribcage injury he sustained in the series against India. Shoaib's comments sent the board into a tizzy, and they asked him to clarify his position.

Interestingly, it was reported that the PCB had earlier told the selectors not to select Shoaib for the tournament on medical grounds. "We acted on the basis of a letter sent to us by Durham, who informed us that he needed periods of rest between matches to recover completely from his injury," said Rameez Raja, the chief executive of the PCB. "We have told Shoaib clearly that if he claims he is fit he has to come down and undergo a stringent fitness test; only then will he be considered," he added.

Alarmed by the signals, Shoaib asserted that he was fit and ready to play, and that his rib injury had healed after he had taken a two-week rest. "I don't know why they don't trust me," he said. "I am playing for my county Durham and performing well. If I am not fit would they play me?

Shoaib had hurt his ribcage while bowling during the third Test against India earlier this year, but confounded the management by batting unhindered later in the game. His performance added fuel to rumours of attitude problems, as well as differences between him and Inzamam-ul-Haq about strategy. A medical inquiry was called for by the PCB - which had questioned the seriousness of the injury when Shoaib played for Durham shortly after - but the medical team confirmed Shoaib's damaged ribcage. To complicate matters further, Shoaib aggravated the injury during a county game and was advised to rest until the injury had healed completely. Since then, counter to the PCB's advice to rest, he has bowled for Durham.

The selectors have sent the probables list to the PCB, which will release it shortly.