Lahore, Nov 22 : If the enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was looking for a shot in the arm in his bid for a successful Test return, he has received it in the form of newly appointed chief selector Abdul Qadir, who believes that 'Rawalpindi Express' is still 'an asset for Pakistan team'.
PCB chief Izaz Butt on Thursday named former Test leg-spinner Qadir as the new chairman of selectors.
Qadir said even at 33, Shoaib remains a big asset for Pakistan cricket. ''Shoaib Akhtar is an asset. He is a wicket-taking bowler, who still has a lot to offer to Pakistan cricket,'' Qadir was qouted as saying by 'The News'.
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam also believes that the 'Rawalpindi Express' can play international cricket for a couple of more years.
Butt has expressed similar views about Shoaib, who has only played 46 Tests in a career spanning over 11 years as he mostly sits out either due to injury or suspension.
PCB chief said he still has faith in the player.
Shoaib was labelled as a chucker, a bad boy and even tested positive for banned steroid nandrolone in 2006. He was banned for five years by the PCB this April over several breaches of discipline, the most serious one being the incident, when Shoaib hit fellow pacer Mohammad Asif after a training session just before the start of the inaugural World Twenty20 Championship in South Africa last September.
Till a few months back, most senior PCB officials were convinced that Shoaib had no future with the Pakistan cricket team, which they believed would be better off without him around.
But things have really changed.
Qadir said the past officials were unable to bring the best out of Shoaib because they didnít know how to handle him.
''Shoaib can play for Pakistan for as long as he is fit,'' Qadir said. ''He (Shoaib) is working hard on his fitness and he is sure to be back against India,'' he added referring to Pakistan's home series against India pencilled in for January-February next year.
Coach Intikhab is also predicting 'a successful Test comeback' for Shoaib.
''Shoaib is getting fitter and faster,'' said Intikhab, who didn't field the pacer in Pakistan’s third one-dayer against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi on November 16. ''He has gradually found his rhythm and I'm sure he would be ready for India.''
--- UNI
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