Inzamam retained as captain for three series

Inzamam-ul-Haq has been retained as Pakistan's captain for the next three series - against Australia, India and West Indies - following his side's resurgent performances in recent months. Inzamam, whose century at Karachi helped secure a 1-1 draw against Sri Lanka in their most recent Test series, last week led his side to a notable victory over India in the BCCI's Platinum Jubilee one-day match at Eden Gardens.

Inzamam will lead a squad of 17 in Australia next month. Two young fast bowlers have been added to the squad that faced Sri Lanka - Mohammad Asif, a right-arm seamer from Sheikhupura, and Mohammad Khalil, a left-armer from Lahore, who was included in the squad to face Bangladesh last year after just six first-class outings.

Neither of the veteran wicketkeepers, Moin Khan and Rashid Latif, was included in the squad, which means that Kamran Akmal takes over as Pakistan's first-choice keeper.

It is a tough assignment for Akmal, who took over from Moin for the Karachi Test, but he has received a vote of confidence from his captain. "Akmal will be the only wicketkeeper on the Australian tour because Inzamam-ul-Haq is satisfied with his performance," said Wasim Bari, Pakistan's chief of selectors. "Since we are looking to the future we must try him on this tough tour."

Squad Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Yousuf Youhana (vice-capt), Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shahid Afridi, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Khalil.