Shoaib Malik said the return of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would boost the team for their one-off match against archrivals India in Scotland next month.
LAHORE: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the return of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would boost the team for their one-off match against archrivals India in Scotland next month.
"Akhtar is a proven match-winner and his return has strengthened our bowling attack," the recently appointed Malik told reporters Tuesday before the team's departure for Scotland.
Pakistan face India in a one-day international in Glasgow on July 3 and then play Scotland at Edinburgh on July 1 during their short tour.
Batsman Younis Khan, currently playing for Yorkshire in English county cricket, will join the 14-man squad in Scotland.
Malik said the squad trained extensively at a Pakistan army base in Abbottabad for two weeks where Akhtar found his rhythm. The paceman missed the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbean.
"Akhtar is very vital for our team and bowled at full throttle in the two practice matches. I'm very hopeful he will give his best against India and Scotland," said Malik.
Injury-prone Akthar, 31, played the last of his 133 one-day internationals in England in September last year. He played only one Test this year, damaging his hamstring on the second day against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.
Meanwhile Malik said he had the full backing of senior members of the Pakistani squad, who are eager to do well on the tour.
Malik was picked as skipper after Inzamam-ul-Haq quit one-day cricket and relinquished the captaincy following Pakistan's first-round exit from the World Cup in March. Younis Khan turned down the role.
Reports have suggested that some senior players were against the appointment of opener Salman Butt as vice captain.
"There has been a lot of talk about differences in the team but there is no credibility to it. I have the full backing of the seniors and there are no problems," said Malik.
Malik led Pakistan to a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka in a one-day series in Abu Dhabi in May, which he said put the team back on track after the World Cup and the death of coach Bob Woolmer in Jamaica in March.
"We did well to beat Sri Lanka as they were the losing finalists in the World Cup. The match against India will be another big test for us," said Malik.
"I hope we enter the ground with an aim to win because after this tour we must prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup and then a hectic season awaits us," he added.
Pakistan host South Africa in September-October and tour India in November-December before hosting world champions Australia early next year. Akhtar said he was gearing up for a gruelling season.
"I have attained full fitness and have bowled without any trouble in the camp. I look forward to playing against India and then in the remaining season," Akhtar said.
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