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Chief selector Wasim Bari believes Pakistan’s pace ace Shoaib Akhtar would return with a bang for this summer’s tour of England.

Bari told this correspondent following a meeting of national selectors in Lahore on Saturday that Shoaib would be included in a list of probables for the tour of England to be announced next week.

Bari said that “encouraging reports” have been received over Shoaib’s fitness and that is good news for Pakistan.

“Shoaib is a key member in the national team and we would really need him in England where Pakistan are to play in a very important series,” said the selection committee chairman.

Shoaib went through surgery on both his knees after being diagnosed with a degenerative disease earlier this year. He missed the home ODI series against India in February and was ruled out of the tour of Sri Lanka.

Bari said that a list of 25-26 players would be announced by May 17 for a fitness camp getting underway in Lahore from the 25th in preparation of the Test and ODI series against England. A similar list will also be finalised for the Pakistan A team’s tour of Australia this summer, he said. Both the camps would simultaneously take place in Lahore.

“We have two important assignments coming up this summer and want our players to be in peak condition for both the tours,” said Bari.

Bari said that the 12-day fitness camp would provide an excellent opportunity for players like Shoaib Akhtar, who might be rather rusty following an absence from competitive cricket.

“Our fitness trainers Grant Compton and Murray Stevenson would be supervising the camp that is aimed at bringing the players in best physical condition ahead of the cricket camp that would follow next,” said Bari.

The former Test captain said that Pakistan would announce their 16-member squad for the tour of England soon after the fitness camp. Pakistan are to play four Tests and five one-dayers during their tour of England from June to September.

“It is going to be a marathon tour and a challenging assignment for which we want our players to be fully ready,” said Bari.

He pointed out that Pakistan have a hectic schedule ahead of next year’s World Cup that includes the Champions Trophy in India in October-November, three Tests and three one-dayers against West Indies at home in November and December, before a tour of South Africa ahead of the World Cup.

On the combination of the team for England, Bari said that a final decision would be taken after studying all aspects.

The selectors have also asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to talk to the players currently featuring in professional cricket in England to confirm their availability for national duty. Bari said that he and fellow selectors believe that the Pakistan A team’s tour of Australia is also of great importance considering the fact that the World Cup is just ten months away.

“It would be a demanding tour because the Australians play really tough,” said Bari. “Any player who does well there could join the race for a place in the World Cup team,” he said.

Bari said that Pakistan would include a few under-19 players in the Australia-bound squad for exposure against a quality opposition.

Source:The News