Dope-tainted Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar [ Images ] was dropped from the Asian XI team for the Afro-Asia Cricket Cup due to lack of fitness.

Asian Cricket Council selection committee member Mohsin Khan said the express bowler was dropped as he had not recovered from a knee injury.

"The Pakistan Cricket Board does not want to take a risk with his fitness as we are going to play some very crucial Test series this season against South Africa [ Images ], India [ Images ] and Australia [ Images ]," Mohsin said on Tuesday.

"I am disappointed that he cannot play because he is still not 100 percent fit," he added.

The three-match Afro-Asia Cup is scheduled from June 6 to 10 in India.

Earlier, Shoaib was picked for the Asia XI after he declared himself fit. The mercurial bowler has played just one Test and four one-dayers since February last year due to fitness problems.

Shoaib stated that he might not play in the series due to family commitments but again did a volte face and made himself available.

The pacer said he changed his mind after speaking to former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram [ Images ], who felt the series would be a good opportunity to get back his fitness.

Meanwhile, Mohsin disclosed that selectors from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka [ Images ] had opposed Shoaib's inclusion in the squad on fitness grounds.

A PCB official supported the decision and said it was sensible to drop Shoaib instead of putting him at risk of another injury lay-off.