Pakistan's chief selector Iqbal Qasim has refused to rule Shoaib Akhtar out of a return to international cricket.

Shoaib hit the headlines once again earlier this week for breaching the terms of his central contract by criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board after they disclosed his withdrawal from the World Twenty20 squad in May was due to a case of genital warts.

The 33-year-old fast bowler is already in a legal dispute with the PCB, whose initial five-year ban after he lashed out at the administration on being denied a central contract was reduced on appeal to 18 months.

That ban was then suspended with a further appeal ongoing.

Despite all his disciplinary issues, Qasim claims Shoaib could still have a future with Pakistan.

He told www.pakpassion.net: "The door is not closed on Shoaib Akhtar, he can still play cricket for Pakistan in the future.

"However what he needs to do is to prove to the selection committee that he is fit enough for international cricket.

"It is absolutely vital that Shoaib Akhtar performs well and on a regular basis in the coming domestic cricket season and proves to the selectors that not only is he bowling well and taking wickets, but he can maintain his fitness levels too.

"It's down to Shoaib to show us that he can get himself fit and bowl well."