Saeed Anwar available for Asia Cup

Karachi, May 25: Former captain Saeed Anwar has confirmed his availability to the selectors for the forthcoming Asia Cup starting in Dhaka from Sunday.

"I have conveyed my availability to the selectors. I have regained full fitness and the long lay-off has also provided me good rest," Saeed said from Lahore on Thursday.

Saeed's availability would boost Pakistan cricket team's chances of winning the eluded Asia Cup, chiefly after the board officials said Wasim Akram will also be travelling to Dhaka.

A PCB spokesman said Wasim Akram will be coming to Dhaka and after completing the assignment will go to England. Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar will, however, not come to Dhaka.

"We didn't beg him (Wasim Akram). He was asked in the West Indies if he was available for Dhaka and he immediately confirmed that he was," Yawar Saeed said. Saeed Anwar said he took a cortisone injection on Monday in the operated area and there was no pain at all.

Saeed underwent orthoscopy on his right knee in March and missed the triangular competitions in Sharjah and the West Indies.

The PCB director said the team for the Dhaka competition would be announced in the next couple of days.

Not many changes are expected. Azhar Mahmood and Saeed Anwar will replace Saqlain Mushtaq and Shoaib Akhtar while Wajahatullah Wasti and Shabbir Ahmad are likely to be released so that the team is reduced to a 15-man squad.

Pakistan are playing a double header in Dhaka on June 1 and 2 against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka two days after completing the West Indies tour.