According to a national selector, Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar is set to earn a recall for their forthcoming tour of India.
The pace bowler is currently on the verge of completing a 13-match suspension for misconduct, Shoaib having hit team-mate and fellow paceman Mohammad Asif with a bat prior to the recent World Twenty20.
With his ban scheduled to end after Pakistan's fourth one-day international against South Africa in Multan on Friday, Shoaib is available for the fifth match, to be played in Lahore on Monday.
Return
But, according to the unnamed selector, the 32-year-old will instead make a return for the trip to India, which starts in November and takes in three Tests and five one-day internationals.
"Shoaib has bowled impressively in a domestic first class game and unless something dramatic happens he is inked into our list of 15 players for India," the selector said.
"He looked a bit rusty but was good in his strides and is keen to make a comeback for the Indian tour."
A combination of injury and disciplinary problems have restricted Shoaib to just one Test and four one-day international appearances since February 2006.
Meanwhile, despite struggling with an elbow injury which forced him to miss the first three one-dayers against South Africa, Asif is also expected to be included in the 15-man squad, which will be announced on Friday.
"Mohammad Asif is also cleared for the tour," the selector confirmed.
