LAHORE, Aug 1: Pakistan Cricket Board’s selectors are to remain more focused on the fitness levels of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and medium-pacer Umar Gul while watching the probables during the three trial matches in Lahore from Aug 5 to 9 in order to finalise the 15-member squad for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

While Shoaib will be appearing before the selectors after a longish absence of almost eight months due to disciplinary and fitness problems, Umar has to convince them about his recovery from the rib injury he sustained during the crucial match against India in the Asia Cup on June 26.

Although Umar has rested for over a month since the injury, his decision of not bowling in the week-long training camp at Kakul, Abbottabad, has raised some doubts regarding his fitness.

Sources told Dawn that although Umar went through some exercises at the training camp, he did not bowl a single ball there.

Umar, one of the spearheads of Pakistan bowling, has been injury-prone in recent years, suffering from stress fractures in the back and other leg injuries.

Meanwhile, Shoaib, after clearing the PCB’s dope test, is looking forward to be selected for the Trohpy. However, the selectors have already asked him to prove his fitness in the trial matches next week.

There are reports that Shoaib will be asked to send down a full 10-over quota at top speed in the two 50-50 trial matches. However, bowling a full quota in the prevailing humid weather of Lahore will not be an easy job for any fast bowler and it remains to be seen if the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ could sustain his pace and rhythm.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from Sept 11.