Shoaib head and shoulders above other bowlers: Imran

Pakistan last week omitted the injury-prone Akhtar from the squad for the five-match one-day series against Zimbabwe, saying the paceman will have to play in domestic matches to prove his fitness.

The 32-year-old fast bowler, nicknamed the ‘Rawalpindi Express’, was also criticised for his off-field activities on the tour of India, where Pakistan lost the ODI series 3-2 and Tests 1-0.

"Malice is always a big problem and it's easy to find scapegoats after defeats. But I think if Shoaib Akhtar is fit, he is still head and shoulders above other bowlers," Khan said.

Akhtar took six wickets in the first Test in New Delhi, where Pakistan lost by six wickets. He played the next two Tests but was not at full fitness.

He also showed interest in signing on for a Bollywood film, raising doubts over his cricket future. Akhtar, however, denied he was leaving the sport to join Bollywood.

"I want to play cricket and just showing a little interest in films doesn't mean I am leaving the game. I want to play against Zimbabwe to be ready to face Australia," Akhtar said on Sunday.

Pakistan host Australia in March-April in 2008.