July 04, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 29, 1429

KARACHI, July 3: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik will have to go through a medical test on Friday before the selectors will decide whether he is fit enough for the last game of the Asia Cup Super Four stage against Bangladesh. The match is scheduled to be held at the National Stadium here on Friday.

“Though Malik (Shoaib) has improved quite a bit and is looking better, but he will have to pass a fitness test hours before the start of the match to confirm his inclusion,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters.

Shoaib, despite confirming his availability for the crunch match against India on Wednesday, decided to opt out at the last hour since he was feeling weak and not match-fit.

“We want Shoaib 100 per cent fit for the match against Bangladesh and therefore, we have delayed the decision about his inclusion in the team till Friday,” said Sallu.

Meanwhile, sources said that in case of Shoaib’s availability, all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who is looking out-of-sorts in the tournament, may be dropped.

Though seasoned middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf is also off colour these days, he is likely to remain part of the playing eleven.

Moreover, manager Talat Ali Malik said that Shoaib had voluntarily decided to skip the match against India after he felt that he was not fully fit. He said the captain was improving after facing dehydration problems a few days back.