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Discarded former captain Wasim Akram Thursday termed the reports that he was not fit for five-day cricket as baseless.

Wasim, in an interview to an Indian newspaper, further said he was thinking returning to county cricket as he didn't want to sit idle after being sidelined.

"I have heard the news that I have been dropped. But the reason they have given is that I'm not fully fit. That is just not true," Wasim was quoted as saying.

The Pakistan cricket selectors Tuesday dropped Wasim from the Asian Test Championship final against Sri Lanka claiming the left-hander was not fit to face the rigours of Test cricket. The selectors had further said Wasim needed to confirm his fitness in domestic competitions to return to Test fold.

Wasim also took a swipe at Pakistan captain Waqar Younis while giving clear indications that he had been sidelined on the recommendations of the skipper. "Right now, Waqar Younis is on a high. And if he feels that I do not fit into the side, then it's fine," he said. "But it's all the same with the Pakistan team. Once I'm on the field, I back Waqar fully."

Wasim repeated his ambitions to return to the Pakistan team, saying: "I want to play both forms of cricket. "At this stage of my career, I need to be playing more cricket. Else, when I return to play after a lay-off, the chances of breaking down are higher. "It is a shame that in this region, our culture makes us think that once a player reaches 33 he is no longer fit to play internationally."

© Dawn