October 24, 2007	Wednesday	Shawwal 11, 1428

FAISALABAD, Oct 23: Pakistan’s controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who is likely to play the fifth and final One-day International against South Africa after completing a 13-match ban, bowled a few spells in a Quaid Trophy match in presence of a national selector on Tuesday.

Saleem Jaffer, a member of the selection committee, specially flew to Islamabad to watch the performance of Shoaib who was representing Khan Research Laboratories in the match against Zarai Tarqiati Bank (ZTBL). Shoaib sent down 21 overs and claimed one wicket in the first innings.

“I sent down 21 overs today and am feeling fit for the game,” Shoaib told Dawn from Islamabad. “Resuming cricket for Pakistan gives me a great feeling and hopefully, I will be succeeding in convincing the selectors with my fitness and form to get back my place in the team,” he said.

The maverick pacer, nicknamed ‘Rawalpindi Express’, has been under suspension for the past two weeks due to serious charges levelled against him by the PCB including that of hitting fellow fast bowler Mohammad Asif with bat in South Africa on the eve of the World Twenty20 Cup last month.

His ban will end with the fourth game against the South Africans in the on-going ODI series, making him eligible for the fifth and final match scheduled to be played at Karachi on Oct 29.