Pakistani selectors left out Shoaib Akhtar and made three changes to the squad currently in India but had to give in to the team management's demand to sacrifice an opener for a spinner when they announced the 16-member squad for the six-match one-day series against India beginning on April 2.
The selectors decided to leave out Shoaib on fitness ground and omitted openers Yasir Hameed and Taufeeq Umar along with left-arm paceman Mohammad Khalil, currently touring India for the Test series.
Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez and medium pacers Shahid Nazir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum would join the squad in their place.
"We have made just three changes in the team that is presently in India. Yasir Hameed, Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Khalil will return home after the Bangalore Test and the trio will be replaced by Shahid Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez and Rao Iftikhar Anjum," chairman of selectors Wasim Bari said.
"Shoaib Akhtar was not considered (for selection) because he is not fit. His trainer Grant Compton told me that he requires two weeks to regain fitness. Once he conveys us his availability, we will take his fitness test and then decide about his selection," he added.
Bari also refused to comment on Shoaib's inclusion in the team for the second half of the one-day series and said their role begins after the bowler declares himself fit and available.
{{/usCountry}}Bari also refused to comment on Shoaib's inclusion in the team for the second half of the one-day series and said their role begins after the bowler declares himself fit and available.
{{/usCountry}}"He (Shoaib) has to convey his availability and then we will organise a match in which we will see his fitness. The selectors role starts after he reclaims match fitness and conveys his availability," Bari said.
Shoaib, who has taken 186 wickets in 120 matches, pulled out of the India tour with a hamstring injury that had also cut short his Australian trip.
He had earlier this month hoped to stage a comeback in the one-day series but legendary Imran Khan, who admitted to advising the bowler to withdraw from the Indian tour, suggested the speedster not to rush his comeback.
Bari, also a former captain, did not hide his disagreement with the team management on the demand of retaining an additional spinner but emphasised that the their request was accommodated "because the team was involved in a pressure series".