26 October 2007

Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been recalled for the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa in Lahore.

Akhtar, who was banned for 13 matches after being found guilty of misconduct by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will not be available to play in the final match of the series, with the series tied at 2-2 after South Africa scored a seven-wicket win in Multan.

"He is now available for Pakistan and we have checked his fitness in a domestic match," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters after the match.

"He remains a key player for us and will boost the pace attack for the Indian tour."

The PCB named the one-day international squad to tour India, with Akhtar included alongside Fawad Alam in an otherwise unchanged squad.

"For the one-dayers we believe we have picked the most balanced outfit and the presence of Shoaib and Asif will make our bowling dependable," Ahmed added.

Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (captain), Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Rehman.

South Africa In Pakistan