Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar is a doubtful starter for the first one-dayer against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi today.

Akhtar, who last played for Pakistan in November last year, strained a calf muscle at practice yesterday and has found it difficult to even walk.

The 33-year-old was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for disciplinary reasons, but he returned to the squad in August for a Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

Akhtar leads a five-man strong pace attack which is short on experience, but West Indies captain Chris Gayle had said Akhtar could prove the difference.

"Akhtar is the key factor," Gayle said.

"He is a wicket-taking bowler in a strong Pakistan pace attack."

A team official said Akhtar would be put through a fitness test prior to the match before making a decision on his selection.