Shoaib keen to end hibernation

Shoaib Akhtar has told the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that he is fit and ready to leave his mark on the English when they tour Pakistan from November.

Shoaib met Saleem Altaf, PCB director, during the Afro-Asian Cup in Durban and told him he was committed to playing his part as a team man if and when he returns to international cricket.

Speaking to the Pakistan-based daily, The News, Altaf said, "he looked fit, lean and mean and he is very keen to come back for Pakistan. I told him that he should continue his good form before returning home and then make himself available for selection."

Shoaib was also told during the meeting that neither the PCB nor the team management held any personal grudges against him but "were keen that he should be hundred percent fit and totally committed to the team."

Even by his own standards, this year has been a trying one for Shoaib. He hasn't played for Pakistan since January, when he was sent home from Australia after straining his hamstring. He later ruled himself out of the Indian tour and was then overlooked for the tour to the West Indies on fitness grounds.

Continuing in the backdrop, meanwhile, has been persistent speculation about his troubled relationship with Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, and his commitment to the team.

But there are now signs that things may change on and off the field. Rashid Latif, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper, has tried to engineer a thaw in relations between Shoaib and his captain, while on the field, there are signs that both his form and fitness are improving.

In the Afro-Asian Cup, Shoaib bowled well enough to pick up six wickets in the three matches. And although he has played for Worcestershire only intermittently - fitness problems still hamper him - he has had considerable success when playing.

The PCB's eagerness to have a fully fit Shoaib is understandable; with Shabbir Ahmed's action still under a cloud, Umar Gul fit but without a competitive game for over a year and Mohammad Sami having not played since the India tour, Pakistan's pace bowling resources are worryingly meagre.

In this light, Altaf has reassured Shoaib that his international future, for now at least, is secure. "I told Shoaib that we had him very much in our minds for future assignments or else we would not have decided to renew his central contract from July this year." He added, "he looked and sounded very sincere in his commitment to play for Pakistan again and I am sure his comeback would be a big boost for the team."