ISLAMABAD: Shoaib Akhtar has not yet given up the hope of refreshing his international career, believing that his return to domestic cricket for Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) will lead him to the national squad. He has not played a Test for Pakistan since December 2007.Shoaib's last appearance for Pakistan was last year, a wicket less outing in a Twenty20 International in Dubai against Australia. Fitness issues, the rise of Mohammad Aamer and the return of Mohammad Asif have eased him further out of contention squad.He is leading his domestic side KRL in the ongoing RBS Cup. "I've been working really hard on getting match fit and am playing currently in the cup and have been feeling good," he said. "The most important thing is to get some cricket under my belt. We are unbeaten and second in the table with one game to play against Habib Bank.""My aim and goal is to reclaim my place in the Pakistan team and I strongly believe that I will be back," sources quoted him as saying."You know things change very quickly in Pakistan cricket and I am confident that my chance will come again. I can't say whether it will be the Twenty/20 World Cup or later in the summer in England, but I believe my chance will come."Pakistan's next major assignment—after the two Twenty20s against England in Dubai - is the World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean in April- May.Shoaib has missed the first two editions of the tournament, having been sent back from the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007 for a fall-out with Mohammad Asif.Shoaib is also planning to play in Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 tournament, due to begin on February 27, in a bid to remind selectors that he is still around. Shoaib has even expressed hope for leading the national side in ODIs, one of the few big names without having to lead the side at all."I've enjoyed the responsibility of captaining the boys [at KRL] and they have shown me great support. Captaincy is something that I really enjoy."Leading your national team is the dream of every cricketer and I am no different. As a young boy when I first started playing cricket it was my dream to be the captain of my country. I hope that one day I will be given that chance before retirement," he added.
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