AJMAL SHAHZAD insists he is back to full fitness after his recent hamstring and ankle problems.

But the pace bowler believes the best way for him to prove it is by playing for Yorkshire against Nottinghamshire this week rather than being the odd one out in England’s 12-man squad for the second Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

The 25-year-old was yesterday left out of the national squad to allow him to play in today’s heavyweight Championship clash at Headingley.

County colleague Tim Bresnan has replaced him in the England squad.

Shahzad, who featured in the Clydesdale Bank 40 win over the Netherlands in Schiedam on Sunday, said: “It has been very frustrating being out injured, but now it feels great to be back.

“I could probably do with a couple more games for Yorkshire before I go back to England.

Playing against Nottinghamshire will be a really good option for me.”

Andy Flower is almost certain to name an unchanged XI on Friday after the massive win at Trent Bridge.

That would have meant – had he been selected in the squad – Shahzad would not get any match practice until Yorkshire’s 40-over match against Derbyshire this weekend.

Now he can prove his fitness during four tough days of cricket against Notts.

Yorkshire go into today’s fixture, their first of two against Notts, one point clear of the Trent Bridge side having played eleven matches.

Mick Newell’s men, who have only played ten, lost their third match of the season against fellow challengers Somerset at Taunton last week.

If Yorkshire can win their fifth match of the campaign, they will effectively wipe out that game in hand.

Newell expects to have former Tykes left arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom available after his missed the Somerset match.

And Newell refuses to accept that the title race is only a two-horse race.

He said: “I don’t really see this Notts-Yorkshire thing at all. Five teams can win the Championship, maybe six.

The winner of that game won’t necessarily win the Championship.”

Meanwhile, Azeem Rafiq’s hearing with the ECB will take place tomorrow at Lord’s.

Rafiq’s suspension from Yorkshire duty will remain at least until the ECB decide what action they want to take after his Twitter rant at his England under-19s boss, John Abrahams.