Shoaib Akhtar retained in one-day squad

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been retained in Pakistan's 16-member one-day squad for the five-match series against England after recovering sufficiently from his elbow injury. Shahid Yousuf, the 20-year old right-handed batsman from Sialkot, is the only new face in the squad.

Wasim Bari, the chairman of selectors, said that Yousuf was included based on the merit of his performances with the Pakistan A side in Abu Dhabi and Australia. Akhtar, who has not played for Pakistan since February, was expected to play the final Test at The Oval but was eventually not risked. Bari confirmed that he had now recovered well enough.

"We have decided to retain Akhtar for the one-day series as he has recovered well from his ankle injury," Bari told Reuters. "Yousuf is a fine batting prospect who has done well for the A side in recent months in two major tournaments."

Shoaib Malik, the allrounder, has also been included, after he was cleared to play by the Pakistan Cricket Board's medical panel. Malik missed the Tests owing to an elbow injury and will join the squad later this week.

Faisal Iqbal, the middle-order batsman and pacers Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir will return home after the Test series.

Squad Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Imran Farhat, Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria.