Pakistan to try out youngsters for Bangladesh ODIs

Pakistan will try out youngsters for the five one-dayers against Bangladesh next month at home. But though some new players will be given a chance, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Pakistan would not take Bangladesh lightly.

"They can be a dangerous team on their day," Salahuddin told the News, a Pakistan daily. "For us the most important task would be to win the series and win comfortably."

After Australia decided to postpone their tour of Pakistan, the PCB searched for a team to replace them for a five-match ODI series. The PCB was keen on India to play the matches but the BCCI could not fit another series in to an already jam-packed itinerary.

In their recent ODIs against Zimbabwe, Pakistan tried out opener Nasir Jamshed, bowlers Abdur Rauf, Junaid Zia, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Khurram Manzoor and Khalid Latif. They also played wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed for the last two games in place of regular keeper Kamran Akmal.

But Salahuddin said Pakistan would not take any chances in playing Bangladesh. "Bangladesh proved they are a good one-day side by reaching the last-eight in the World Cup," he said. Bangladesh beat India and South Africa in the tournament while Pakistan, along with India, made an exit in the first round.

The Pakistan selectors will meet members of the junior national selection committee on March 21 for advice on the young talent available in the country and announce the squad by the end of the month.