"The selection committee has been advised by Pakistan Cricket Board not to consider Akhtar for the Asia Cup and that is based on medical reports that the pacer has not fully attained fitness," chief selector Wasim Bari told AFP.

Besides Pakistan and India, hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and two qualifiers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong, will feature in the event to be held from July 16 to August 1.

"Akhtar has not played consistently and we must get him fit for the future assignments like the most important tour of Australia later in the year," said Bari.

"Australians waited for Glen McGrath for eight months to get fit for international cricket and we must allow Akhtar to be fully fit."

The 28-year-old Akhtar injured his wrist and rib cage when he fell during the last Test against India in Rawalpindi in April. He did not bowl in the Test but batted without any discomfort, raising suspicions over whether he faked the injury.

Medical reports in Pakistan, however, appeared to show that he had fractured his rib.

Akhtar has also not played regularly for Durham county in England for which he is under a contract as an overseas player.

Pakistan lost 2-1 to India in the Test series preceded by their one-day series defeat, their first against India on home soil, which forced a parliamentary committee to initiate an inquiry.

Akhtar said he was disappointed he would not feature in the Asia Cup.

"I want to play more and more for Pakistan but since I am not fully fit I would not take a risk and would better come after attaining full fitness," Akhtar said from England.

Pakistan is also due to play a tri-nations series, with India and Australia, in the Netherlands from August 20-27 this year.

It is also scheduled to host Zimbabwe for two Tests and five one-day games in October, although the tour is hanging in the balance after Zimbabwe's Test status was questioned over a rift between white players and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.

Pakistan is due to tour Australia for three Tests and a tri-nations one-day series from December to February 2005 and then tour India in March-April next year.