Shoaib had an 18-month ban overturned last month

Shoaib Akhtar has received a surprise international recall after being named in Pakistan's 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy.

The controversial fast bowler, who has not played for his country since December, had an 18-month ban for indiscipline suspended last month.

But his inclusion had been in doubt as he had not paid a hefty fine.

"He is willing to return and since he is determined he is an asset," said Pakistan selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

The 32-year-old originally received a five-year ban in April when he publicly criticised the PCB after being overlooked for a central contract.

Shoaib was partially successful in appealing against the fine, with a tribunal reducing it to 18 months.

The reduced ban was then suspended by the High Court in Lahore until the full case is heard in September, but the court did impose a fine of �57,000 in June.

And the PCB left Akhtar out of a Pakistan training camp after he had been in a preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy.

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"This issue can be resolved later."

Fellow fast bowler Umar Gul and all-rounder Shahid Afridi were also included in the squad despite fitness fears.

"Shoaib, Gul and Afridi carry a lot of experience and we are confident they will be 100 percent fit for the tournament," said chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed.

Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Bazid Khan, Khalid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Iftikhar Anjum, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal