Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be eligible to play in the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa on October 29, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.

The Board’s disciplinary committee on Thursday imposed a 13-match ban and a fine of $56,000 on Akhtar for four misconduct charges, including hitting team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB’s chief operating officer, clarified that the ban period had started the day after the incident on September 7, when team manager Talat Ali sent Akhtar home.

“Since his ban period started immediately, it covers seven matches of the Twenty20 World Cup and also the two Tests against South Africa,” Naghmi told Reuters.

“This means he will have completed his 13-match ban by the fourth one-dayer and will be eligible for selection for the final game in Karachi,” he said.

Akhtar has played 43 Tests and 133 one-dayers but has not taken part in any competitive cricket since he limped out of the second Test against South Africa in January with a hamstring injury. The 32-year-old has played just one Test and four one-dayers since February 2006 due to fitness and other problems.

He was suspended for two years in 2006 after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone but was later cleared of doping offences.

Counselling

The PCB said it was compulsory for the temperamental fast bowler to undergo counselling as part of his rehabilitation process, adds PTI. Pakistan team manager Talat Ali had recommended to the Board that Akhtar required counselling to overcome his problems, which have seen him get into trouble with authorities since his debut in 1997.

“The probation period is meant to tell him he has to now improve and if during this period he is again involved in any violation of the team code of conduct or indiscipline, he will face an automatic life ban,” PCB chairman Naseem Ashraf said. “He has realised his mistake and regretted his actions. We expect him to be very careful about his behaviour,” he said.