'Fit' Akhtar ready for comeback: Hameed

Islamabad, Apr.25 (ANI): Mercurial Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has impressed many with his performance in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament, and is eagerly waiting for a recall in the national squad.

Opener Yasir Hameed, who is leading the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Panthers in the Pentagular Cup, said Akhtar's fitness level has improved drastically and the way he bowled against the Panthers in a match earlier this week shows that he wants to prove his critics wrong.

"Shoaib looks in good shape, he has obviously lost a lot of weight and it would appear that he has been working very hard to get fit. I was most impressed with him. He was bowling in an aggressive and hostile manner and it reminded me to a certain extent of the Shoaib Akhtar of old," Hameed told PakPassion.net

" His (Akhtar) levels of stamina really impressed me too. It was hot and humid and he certainly wasn't struggling, he showed tremendous levels of stamina to be bowling so quick in that heat," he added.

When asked that whether the 34-year old speedster was ready for international cricket, Hameed said the Akhtar certainly deserves a place in the national side if he continues to perform the way he is at the moment.

" I don't see why not, if he continues his good form and maintains his fitness levels then I think he deserves another crack at international cricket," Hameed said. (ANI)