LAHORE Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes that the inclusion of fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be vital for the team and has asked him to prove his worth as bowler. Pleading Akhtar to mend his ways, Afridi said that inclusion of youngsters in will bolster the team. He said that he had talked with Akhtar and found him eager to play for the country. He is a match winner and there is a no doubt about it. His presence in the field makes a difference and when on song, he changes the complexion of the game on his own, said he. Chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan, however, is seeking clearance for the inclusion of Akhtar and the banned players Shoaib Malik and Younus Khan in the team for Asia Cup. Reports suggested that Mohsin has finalised the list of 15 players for the Asia Cup but was waiting for the final say from the PCB chairman. However, reports suggested that Akhtar and the two former captains are among the listed players. But the final team will be announced only after the PCB chairman and his close aides give a stamp of approval. The four-nation Asia Cup will be held on Sri Lanka from June 15 while the camp of the probables started on Tuesday. The selectors have already announced 35 probables from which the final squad will be picked, but we need the final clearance from the PCB chairman about the fitness level of players before considering them for the squad, Mohsin said. The selection committee is to meet here on Thursday to select the 15-member squad for the Asian gala. However, there are question marks looming over some of the probables since Younus Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Danish Kaneria were included in the list along with some conditions. Selection of both Younus and Malik could be possible after getting clearance from the one-man arbitrator Irfan Qadir, who is hearing the appeals of six cricketers - including those of Malik and Younus - in discipline cases. But with the arbitrator already overturning the one-year ban and reducing by half the fine imposed on Malik to Rs 1 million last Saturday, the former Pakistan captain is likely to be considered for selection. The inclusion of Younus still hangs in the balance because the arbitrator still has to decide the case after Younis filed an appeal for interim-relief against his indefinite period ban on May 29. But the case has now been deferred until June 5. Only the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt is empowered to remove the ban on Younus, and if he does so, the selectors will be in a position to include the former national captain in the squad. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say that the PCB is in contact with the English county side Essex to get the actual status of Kanerias alleged match-fixing case in which the Test leg-spinner has already sought bail. Veteran fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, in the meantime, is preparing to face another battle to reclaim his spot in the Pakistan side when he goes through a strenuous fitness test to prove that he is match-fit. The PCB is likely to summon some of the probables, including Shoaib, for fitness tests on Wednesday. Reports said that the fast bowler has garnered enough support within the Pakistan cricket think-tank to earn a recall for the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lankan from June 15-24. Shoaib last played for Pakistan in a Twenty20 International against Australia in Dubai on May 7, 2009. After that he was overlooked for a number of important assignments, including the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 championship in England, the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa and the twin tours of New Zealand and Australia. Dogged by injury and disciplinary problems, Shoaib didnt lose heart and made a spirited comeback to the domestic circuit earlier this season. Reports said that there remains some skepticism within the Pakistan camp about the likely return of Akhtar. Afridi believes that a fit-again Shoaib can be a potent weapon in Pakistans bowling arsenal for One-day Internationals and Twenty20 matches. Having regained his fitness, Shoaib has proved that he still has that sting that can unsettle batsmen. Afridi is of the view that Shoaib fits in his game plan, which is to play aggressive cricket. He believes that if Shoaib bowls a fiery spell with the new ball and can get a few breakthroughs then other bowlers like Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir can capitalise on it, he said. Afridi was of the view that young players should be included in the squad for the Asia Cup. Afridi said that to win Asia Cup was his main target and he should have at least three to four new players along with the seniors so that he can strike the right balance in the one-day side. It is right time to start grooming and giving exposure to some of our young lot because we also have to keep the 2011 World Cup in mind, Afridi said. To a question, he said that he didnt want to comment on the inclusion of Shoaib Malik in the team because it is solely a matter of Pakistan Cricket Board. Selection of player should be completely on merit, he further said.