Akhtar ruled out of ODI series against Sri Lanka

Islamabad:

Troubled fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was ruled out on Saturday for Pakistan's one-day series against Sri Lanka due to a lack of match fitness.

Pakistan selector Wasim Bari watched Akhtar's fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday, but said the player needed competitive cricket to have his fitness and form judged.

"He has not played any cricket over the last few months, so we will not consider him for one-day series starting later this month," Bari said.

Akhtar last played in a one-day series against Australia in April-May before being ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Bari left for Sri Lanka on Saturday to discuss the composition of the one-day squad with the team's management.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is due to announce squad of 30 probables for September's Champions Trophy in South Africa on July 23, and Bari said Akhtar's name will come under consideration.

"Surely, he will be considered for the Champions Trophy," Bari said.

The 33-year-old Akhtar is injury prone, last playing a test against India in 2007 before he was sidelined for 14 months due to fitness and disciplinary problems.

He has made two unimpressive comebacks to international cricket this year, in one-day series against Sri Lanka and Australia.