Karachi, Nov 19 (IANS) Pakistan's cricket chief Ijaz Butt has ruled out the return of controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar to international cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman said Shoaib is already 34 and with a history of fitness problems is unlikely to make a comeback.

Butt was responding to a query whether Shoaib's decision to undergo liposuction would boost his chances of a comeback for the Australia tour next month.

Butt said Pakistan has a number of young fast bowlers to choose from and that makes Shoaib's chances of a comeback "very remote".

Earlier this month, Shoaib decided to undergo a liposuction surgery to remove extra fat from his body. He, however, didn't seek PCB's permission before undergoing the surgery. The PCB was unhappy with it because as a contracted player, Shoaib was supposed to have informed the board about it.

However, Butt refused to comment whether the PCB will take any disciplinary action against the fast bowler.

According to doctors, Shoaib might need nearly five months post-liposuction to regain his fitness.

"After the liposuction surgery, Shoaib will require at least three to five months to make a complete recovery and play competitive cricket once again," said Waqar Ahmed, a famous sports medicine specialist.