Karachi: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is due to join the Pakistan team in South Africa this week, has signed the central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Shoaib's previous contract in the 'A' category was cancelled after he was banned along with fellow paceman Mohammad Asif for taking banned steroid, nandrolone.

But a PCB appellate tribunal overturned the two-year ban imposed on the 31-year-old speedster in November last. Asif was also exonearted by the panel.

"Shoaib, who is scheduled to leave for Johannesburg via Dubai tonight, also signed a contract with cellular company Mobilink which is one of the main sponsors of the PCB," local daily 'Dawn' reported.

Arguably the fastest bowler produced by Pakistan, Shoaib has claimed 165 wickets from 42 Tests and 208 scalps in 133 one-day internationals.

He has not featured in a Test since India played at Karachi almost a year ago while his last ODI appearance was against England at Trent Bridge in September 2006.