Shoaib vows to play on for Pakistan

Pakistan quick Shoaib Akhtar believes he can extend his controversial international career for another four years.

The 33-year-old has not played for his country in 2008 after spending most of the year embroiled in a legal dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The governing body banned him for five years in April for criticising their selection policy, only to later reduce the ban to 18 months and then suspend it pending a verdict from an appeal court.

While that ban still hangs over his head, Shoaib believes he can put those concerns behind him and make a long-term return to the Pakistan set-up.

“Trouble comes and goes over your career. You are put through certain situations in your life that you have to get through to make you a better person,” he said.

“I have been put through those situations and I have learned a lot.

“I’m going to bowl again and I’m going to play again for another four years and show everyone how good I am.”

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has staked his claim for a Pakistan recall with a three-week stint at Surrey

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Shoaib believes a change in management at the PCB will also aid his comeback.

Last month chairman Nasim Ashraf relinquished his post in accordance with the PCB constitution after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who was facing impeachment by parliament, announced his decision to step down on national television.

Under Ashraf the PCB’s lawyers had argued in favour of Shoaib’s ban, with an ad-hoc committee currently in place.

“We will have better cricket brains running cricket in Pakistan that will look after the cricketers,” Shoaib told Sky Sports News.

“We have been given that assurance we can just go out and play and they will look after matters off the field.

“That is important for the Pakistan cricket side so that they can play the best they can.”

Pakistan’s next scheduled series will not arrive until next February when India are due to tour.

And Shoaib, who has managed just 46 Test matches since making his debut in 1997, believes he will be fit to play in the series after beginning his comeback with a short-term stint at English county side Surrey.

“I will be ready to go, but there a few months before our next series against India,” he said.

“Until then I will look to play cricket wherever I can.”