Akhtar may be considered for Aus ODI series if fit: Qadir

Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar can make a comeback to the national squad in the ODI series against Australia if he proves his match fitness in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament, chief selector Abdul Qadir said today.

Qadir said the selectors had been keeping an eye on Akhtar's performance to decide whether he could be brought back into the team for the forthcoming one-day series against Ricky Ponting's side in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"He has been playing and in the last match bowled his full quota of overs and conceded just 37 runs," Qadir said.

"There is no doubt he is an experienced bowler and a match winner on his day. We have always said if he is match fit he can be an asset for the national team," he added.

The national selectors will confer shortly with captain Younis Khan and coach Intikhab Alam to choose a 15-member squad for the five-match one-day series against Australia that starts from April 22 in Dubai.

Akhtar made a comeback to Pakistan's one-day squad in January against Sri Lanka after a 14-month lay-off due to disciplinary and fitness issues.

But, he was not considered for the third one-dayer because of poor form and lack of fitness. Later, he withdrew from the Test series against Sri Lanka saying doctors had advised him to get a knee problem operated upon.