Karachi, Feb 29 Pakistan's chief coach Geoff Lawson today backed down from giving full support to the inclusion of Shoaib Akhtar in the national team, saying the fast bowler's return to the side would depend on his focus on his cricket.

Lawson, who has been propagating the importance of having Shoaib in the team, told reporters here that Pakistan had enough back up talent to manage even if the fast bowler was not available.

"There is no doubt he has some years of cricket left in him but it is totally up to him what he wants to do. Whether he wants to focus on his cricket or do other things. But he can be in the team only if he is mentally and physically fit," Lawson said.

"My insistence is on only having players in the team who are 100 per cent fit mentally and physically and have their focus on cricket rather than other things," he added.

Shoaib is facing a disciplinary hearing by next week in which he has been charged with criticising the policies of the Pakistan cricket Board despite being under a one-year probation after being banned for 13 matches and fined 3.4 million rupees last year on four charges of misconduct.

The maverick fast bowler is currently in India preparing for the Indian Premier League and mixing with top Bollywood stars. (Agencies)