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Pakistan selectors have taken a gamble in naming injury-prone paceman Shoaib Akhtar in the 16-member Pakistan squad for the five-match one-day series against New Zealand.

The selectors also named two rookies - left-handed opener Imran Farhat from Lahore and paceman Mohammad Sami from Karachi - for the matches to be played on Feb 17, 20, 23, 25 and 28. Leg spinner, Mushtaq Ahmad, dumped after the first Test against England in November, has also been reinstated.

Shoaib Akhtar, has not played any competitive cricket since his appearance in one of the best-of-three finals against the West Indies in April last year.

He first broke down with a side strain and later developed injuries to his bowling shoulder and knee. He underwent treatment in Australia but found the right specialists when the PCB handed him over to its panel of doctors under whose supervision he spent 13 weeks in rehabilitation.

"He has been included in the team on the basis of doctors report. Besides, he also appeared in two practice matches and looked fit. "We talked to him and he was keen to resume his international career. Naturally, we trust his words," chairman of selectors Wasim Bari said.

Shoaib played in the first and fifth practice matches bowling 15 overs and conceding 75 odds runs without taking a wicket.

Bari said the selectors were trying to utilize the battery of fast bowlers which they had at their disposal. "We have to take advantage of Shoaib's pace because fast bowling is not liked by anyone. I am confident that he would prove his selection right," he said.

Shoaib, whose injury cost him a lucrative contract with Nottinghamshire, said: "I might have not played competitive cricket but I have been bowling long spells in the nets. I am aware how important this tour is for me because if I break down again, no one would bet on me. "I am mentally more stronger than I was about 18 months ago. By sitting out, I have realized what requires to be a real good fast bowler and I promise I would be a different person when I return to international cricket," he said.

Shoaib minced no words in saying that he would again like to see the batsmen hop and jump against him. "I have never liked to hit anyone but yes when the batsmen hop and jump, I enjoy. But these are tactics just to scare the batsmen. My job is to take wickets and I have to adopt every trick up my sleeve."

Bari said there would be a maximum of three changes for the three Tests series to be played in March. But he hinted that if Shoaib maintained fitness, he would retain his place in the side.

The former captain said Mushtaq Ahmad had been called because of his experience. "He had performed well in the West Indies because the home batsmen were considerably weak against quality bowling. Same is the case with the New Zealand who don't enjoy playing good wrist spinners," Bari said.

The chief selector said Imran Farhat and Mohammad Sami had been picked chiefly on their excellent domestic performances. "They are bright future prospects. They deserved selection purely on their consistent performance at the domestic circuit," he said. But when asked if the two youngsters will get any chance in the one-day games, Bari said: "It was the job of the captain and the coach how they want to utilize them. "Moin Khan and Javed Miandad were consulted when we picked the squad."

Squad:

Moin Khan (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Salim Elahi, Imran Farhat, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Abdur Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmad.

© Dawn