The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Akhtar available for Afro-Asia Cup

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Thursday, May 17, 2007
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Akhtar available for Afro-Asia Cup

Karachi: Pakistan's fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has opted to play in next month's Afro-Asia Cup cricket one-day series in India.

Akhtar told reporters on Wednesday that he had made himself available for the three-match series to be held in Bangalore and Chennai from June 6 to 10 after consulting his doctors and family members.

The 31-year-old fast bowler had earlier said he was thinking about opting out of the series because of family commitments.

``But now I am available and I am keen to play and do well. The series is a good platform for me to make a strong comeback,'' Akhtar said.

Akhtar is only one of the three Pakistani players picked in the Asian squad, the other two being Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif.

Akhtar said he had recovered from his knee injury and had a slight hamstring problem which was ok now.

``I am fit now and I have also been consulting with Wasim Akram and Imran Khan on how best to preserve myself and keep myself in top shape for future assignments. They have been of great help.''

Akhtar said he had also made himself available for Pakistan's one-day games against India and Scotland in June in Edinburgh. — PTI

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