Shoaib to return for Afro-Asia Cup

DHAKA: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who missed Pakistan's World Cup debacle due to injury, will return to international cricket for next month's Afro-Asia Cup three-match one-day series in India.   

Akhtar, who is still not fully fit, has not been picked for Pakistan's one-day series against Sri Lanka later this month in Abu Dhabi.   

The Afro-Asia Cup matches between combined teams from the Asian and African continents will be played in Bangalore on June 6 and Chennai on June 9 and 10.   

Mahela Jayawardene was named captain of the Asian XI by the selection committee which met on Friday.   

Conceived as a fund-raiser for the African Cricket Association and Asian Cricket Council, the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2005 ended 1-1.   

The series will be preceded by a Twenty-20 match in Bangalore on June 5 between teams from the two continents.