Shoaib Akhtar's dramatic attempt to lose weight through liposuction has cost the Pakistan fast bowler any chance he had of playing cricket against Australia this summer. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt has ruled out the return of Shoaib, 34, who this month underwent liposuction surgery to have extra fat removed from his body.

Shoaib, who played Australia in a one-day international in Abu Dhabi in May but has not played a Test for two years, could need up to five months to recover from the procedure, according to reports in Pakistan. But in more encouraging news for Pakistan, former skipper Younus Khan is poised to move a step closer to touring Australia by returning to first-class cricket after recently requesting time away from the side and the captaincy.

Ijaz said Shoaib's age and history of fitness problems made it unlikely for him to make a comeback. But Ijaz refused to answer questions over whether the speedster would face disciplinary action from the board over his decision not to inform officials he was undergoing liposuction.

Apart from missing the Australian tour, Shoaib could be sidelined from all cricket for up to five months so his body could recover after the surgery, sports medicine specialist Waqar Ahmed told Pakistan's Daily Times.

Pakistan are currently in New Zealand and play the first of three Tests next week.

They are scheduled to arrive in Australia in mid-December in preparation for the first of three Tests against Ricky Ponting's side, at the MCG starting Boxing Day.

Younus, meanwhile, has indicated he will be available for the series after taking time off from the national side following its recent one-day series loss to New Zealand in Dubai.

The batsman requested time away from the national side because he claimed he no longer had control of the team.

It remains unclear whether Younus will captain Pakistan in Australia or whether he will play under current skipper Mohammad Yousuf.