by Abdul Habib
12th August 2010

Shoaib Akhtar is often seen around the Lahore NCA as he continues his neverending struggle with fitness. On his recent visits he joined in with the Pakistan A players currently staying at the NCA ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka

Pakistan fast bowling giant Mohammad Irfan who opens the bowling with Akhtar at domestic level, for KRL, said that it was great to have Akhtar drop in on the camp and train alongside them.

"I've been feeling a little unwell recently due to a stomach bug but it lifted my spirits to see Shoaib bhai turn up and work alongside us. He's a big player with hundreds of international wickets and to have him train with us is really exciting." Irfan told Cricistan.com

Akhtar even joined in with some practise games where batsmen had to try and chase down a set target in a specific number of overs.

"I took part in the first target game but had to rest for the second one as I wasn't feeling well. Akhtar played in both games bowling alongside Talha and myself in the first and Junaid and Tabish in another one. He looked fast and was bowling off his full run-up." Irfan recalled to Cricistan.com

Irfan said that Akhtar looked focused and determined. It looks like Akhtar is keeping himself match fit in the hope that he gets called up to play in the limited over games during the England series.

It's not long before Pakistan play South Africa in Dubai and with question marks over the length of Gul's injury and Asif unable to travel to the UAE. I'm sure that Akhtar is hopeful that they may recall him to fill in for that series.

It'll be interesting to see who the PCB select as Asif's replacement against South Africa but a lot will depend on how Irfan and Talha perform on the Pakistan A tour of Sri Lanka.