Pakistan on Monday included controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar in their 15-man squad for next month's TVventy20 World Cup in

England, despite jitters over his fitness.

The 33-year-old took part in four of the five one-day internationals which ended on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Pakistan's 3-2 defeat against Australia, with the fast bowler taking six wickets.

Akhtar was last year banned for five years on discipline charges - a punishment reduced to 18 months by an appeal committee — while a knee injury and an assault on a team mate have also dented his reputation.

But chief selector Abdul Qadir said Akhtar was gaining rhythm.

"I have always said that a fit Akhtar is an asset for the team," Qadir told z\FP from Abu Dhabi.

"He showed he has that firepower to get wickets, so we have selected him and this is a balanced squad on which we can pin our hopes of winning the title."

Akhtar played just four Twenty20 matches last year due to fitness problems. He was dropped from the team after he took only one wicket in two one-day matches against Sri Lanka

in February this year

He was later ruled out of the two-Test series in February-March, and only returned to the squad for the series against Australia.

Akhtar was part of Pakistan's team for the inaugural T\venty20 World Cup held in South Africa in 2007 but he was expelled from the team after he hit teammate Mohammad Asif with a bat a few days before the start of the event.

Pakistan's current squad also includes 17-year-old rookie paceman Mohammad Aamir, who has played just 10 first-class and two TVventy20 matches at domestic level. Qadir said Aamir was an exciting prospect

Another uncapped player is Shazaib Hasan, a 19-year-old off-break bowler and a right-handed batsman. Like Aamir, he has played just 10 first-class games and two I\venty20 matches in Pakistan's domestic competitions.

Pakistan's team is drawn in Group C of the June 5-22 T\venty20 World Cup along with hosts England and the Netherlands.

SQUAD

Younus Khan (captain), Salman Bun. Ahmed Shahzad, Misbahul Haq, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik. Shahid Afridi. Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Akhter, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal. Shazaib Hassan.

Coach: Intikhab Alam.