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Seamers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will be included in Pakistan’s preliminary Champions Trophy squad, according to chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.
Shoaib had an 18-month ban imposed by a Pakistan Cricket Board appeals tribunal temporarily lifted by the Lahore High Court and is available to play.
Last month Asif was detained in Dubai for nearly three weeks under suspicion of carrying drugs.
His availability for the tournament would depend on the report from the PCB investigation into the issue.
Umar Gul, who sustained a rib injury during the Asia Cup and is currently undergoing rehabilitation, is also included.
“We have included Shoaib Akhtar’s name in the list of 30 probables for the ICC Champions Trophy along with Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul,” said Salahuddin.
"But, while Shoaib and Umar have to prove their fitness, Asif’s selection will largely depend on the report of PCB’s fact-finding committee.”
Shoaib has not played for Pakistan this year and would have to prove match fitness, but with no domestic tournaments on the calendar until late August and with Shoaib doubtful for the Twenty20 tournament in Toronto, it remains to be seen just how the bowler would be able to prove to the selectors he is up to the rigours of one-day international cricket.
Salahuddin also revealed wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, dropped for the Asia Cup, will be named in the preliminary squad which is set to be announced later on Thursday.
