Akram retained for third Test despite poor form

Experience rather than form has assured Wasim Akram of his place in the final Test as Pakistan announced their 15-man squad for the next match starting in Karachi on Thursday.

"We discussed Akram's performance at length and his poor show may be due to a lean patch and retained him because of his rich experience," said chief selector, Wasim Bari.

Akram, who played his 100th Test in Faisalabad, took only two wickets in the two Tests against England. Fellow all-rounder Shahid Afrid is the only change in the team which drew against England in the Faisalabad Test, with newcomer Naumanullah replacing him.

"Naumanullah is included because he batted well in a club game at Peshawar," Bari said.

Squad: Moin Khan (capt/wkt), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhanna, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Abdur Razzak, Qaiser Abbas, Faisal Iqbal, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan, Naumanullah and Danish Kaneria.