Squad for Faisalabad Test named

Lahore, Nov 24: Paceman Waqar Younis and off-spinner Arshad Khan were recalled for the second Test against England when they were named in a 15-man second Test squad by the Pakistan cricket selectors on Friday evening.

Arshad, the 29-year-old spinner, has replaced Mushtaq Ahmad who conceded 164 runs for his one wicket from 52 overs in the drawn first Test here earlier this week.

Paceman Waqar Younis has taken over from allrounder Azhar Mahmood who has been ruled out for three weeks after twisting his ankle. Team officials said he is unlikely to figure in the remaining part of the series.

Azhar's injury was also become blessing in disguise for left-handed Qaisar Abbas who retained his place in the 14. He might, however, not find a place in the playing lineup. Faisal Iqbal is the 15th player.

Chairman of selectors Wasim Bari told Dawn that a selection committee meeting was held here in which the 15 players were selected.

The meeting of the selectors was held after Iqbal Qasim arrived after watching the Faisalabad wicket where the second Test will be played between Nov 29 and Dec 3.

"The wicket is still under preparation. Local groundsmen and PCB's chief curator were working on it," Iqbal Qasim, who has 150 Test wickets against his name, said.

Though he was reluctant to comment on the likely nature of the surface, insiders in the PCB said the curator has been given clear instructions to prepare a track which could assist the spinners. "That means it should be a little quicker and has bounce."

Arshad Khan has been recalled after being sidelined for the three onedayers and the first Test. The lanky Peshawar bowler had served Pakistan well in the absence of Saqlain Mushtaq in Sri Lanka where he took 12 wickets at 32.83. In his seven Tests, Arshad has picked up 27 wickets at 29.37.

Arshad's performance is far more impressive than that of Mushtaq Ahmad whose last 13 Tests have produced just 27 wickets at over 55 per wicket.

Arshad Khan has played two matches in the recent Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. In one game he didn't bowl at all while against Islamabad, he took nine wickets to show his form.

Bari, on the ouster of Mushtaq, said: "Though Lahore Test wicket supported finger spinners, keeping in mind Mushtaq Ahmad's experience and maturity, he was expected to perform better. But now it is time that we start looking towards the future."

The 15 are: Moin Khan (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Salim Elahi, Yousuf Youhana, Wasim Akram, Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Arshad Khan, Danish Kaneria, Waqar Younis, Qaisar Abbas, Imran Nazir and Faisal Iqbal.