Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made himself available for next month's one-day series between representative sides from Asia and Africa in India. Akhtar had said last week he was uncertain about making the series after being named in the Asian XI squad led by Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene.
"I had some family commitments but they have now been taken care of. I am also feeling match fit after training hard, which is why I have decided to play in the series," Akhtar told reporters on Wednesday.
The 31-year old has played just one Test and four one-day internationals since February 2006 when he appeared in a Test match against India. Since than he has struggled with a knee injury and also tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone in October last year before the Champions Trophy in India.
He and fellow pacer, Mohammad Asif were initially both banned by a drugs inquiry tribunal but then an appeals panel of the Pakistan cricket board cleared them and also lifted their long-term bans.
Both were withdrawn from this year's World Cup squad after being declared unfit by the board's medical panel. The three matches between the Asian XI and African XI will be played in Bangalore on June 6 and Chennai on June 9 and 10. Akhtar, who has taken 169 test and 208 one-day wickets, said he was also available for Pakistan's one-day games against India and Scotland in June.
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