Wasim Bari, the PCB director for human resources and administration, has confirmed that Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar will not be included in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka due to his fitness issues.

Bari said that they have been uncertain about the fitness of Shoaib and Shoaib would be considered for selection only when he will prove his fitness by playing some matches.

He added that Shoaib still has a chance to make comeback in the International cricket as if he could prove his fitness then he would be considered for selection in the probable list of the Champions trophy.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce the preliminary list of 30 players before 30 July for the Champions Trophy which will be held in South Africa.

Last time Shoaib played in the five-match ODI series against Australia two months ago after which he was ruled out from ICC T20 World Cup due to skin infection.