Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan today advised speed merchant Shoaib Akhtar, who missed the Indian tour because of a hamstring injury, not to rush his comeback to international cricket.“Any bowler in the world requires match fitness after such a long lay-off. But when it comes to Shoaib Akhtar, he needs more fitness because he bowls at such pace that until everything is correct and in rhythm, he wouldn’t be destructive,” Imran said.“I know for myself that express fast bowlers need more time than medium pacers. When I say fitness, I mean match fitness. His match fitness has to be top class. I would advise him not to rush his return,” Imran said reacting to reports regarding Shoaib’s return.‘The News’ today quoted Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan as saying that the final decision on Shoaib Akhtar joining the team would be taken this week.“Shoaib has resumed bowling in the nets according to Grant Compton (trainer) whom I spoke to today after the Test match. He says if Shoaib doesn’t feel any strain in his hamstring after three or four days of regular bowling in the nets then he can be available for the one-day series starting from April 2,” Shaharyar said.“I would say at this stage that he has 50 per cent chance of joining the team for the one-dayers,” he added.When contacted in Lahore, sources close to Grant Compton and Shoaib admitted that Shoaib trained in the National Cricket Academy in Lahore yesterday and sent down a few deliveries.But they also said Shoaib was only 15 to 20 per cent fit and required time to raise his fitness level, thus signaling the hopes of returning during the Indian series.Last week Shoaib had said that he could return for last three ODIs from April 14 at Ahmedabad while chairman of selectors Wasim Bari had said the pacer had yet to confirm his fitness.
