Karachi, July 28 - Undaunted by comments that he is a spent force, fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is eyeing a successful comeback during Pakistan's tours of New Zealand and Australia starting in November this year.

Sources close to Akhtar told IANS Tuesday that the fast bowler is planning to follow a strict training regime to regain his form and fitness for a return to international cricket.

Pakistan are to tour New Zealand in November and will then fly out to Australia in December to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 game.

Shoaib, who turns 34 next month, last played for Pakistan in the One-day series against Sri Lanka at home in January this year but was axed from the team because of poor form.

He was withdrawn from Pakistan's squad for the World Twenty20 because of a skin problem and was later overlooked for the ongoing away series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan also dropped him from the 30-man provisional squad for the Champions Trophy that begins in South Africa Sep 22.

The move has prompted legendary pacer Wasim Akram to announce that Akhtar's career is virtually over, saying that the warning bells had been sounded with Akhtar's omission from Pakistan's list of probables for the Champions Trophy.

'I don't think he has got a chance, unless and until some miracle happens. Even though it depends on the captain and selectors, I think Shoaib has fallen out with the selectors and the board. The board still supported him and he went to Abu Dhabi and played two of the five games before getting injured again. We all saw that,' said Akram.

However, just regaining form and fitness might not be sufficient for the controversy-ridden player.