Waqar calls for more youngsters in squad

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has echoed captain Shahid Afridi's call for the inclusion of young talent for the upcoming Asia Cup and the tour of England. The squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced on Thursday, and Waqar said a rotation policy had to be put in place to try out new players in a packed schedule for Pakistan in the next few months.

"We are starting a hectic period with the Asia Cup but I think the England tour is very important for the team, where we need to adopt a rotation policy and I think some new players will come into the fray," Waqar told reporters in Lahore. "I think the objective behind naming a number of youngsters is to encourage them and it is important that players be rotated because we have a series against South Africa in October-November this year as well."

Waqar backed Afridi as captain for the Tests, even though he hasn't led Pakistan in the format. "Afridi has not led Pakistan in Tests before," Waqar said. "But he conducted himself well in the World Twenty20 and unity and fighting spirit would be the key to success and he can achieve both from the team."

Waqar added Pakistan needed the services of Mohammad Yousuf, but admitted he couldn't be forced out of retirement. Yousuf quit international cricket following an indefinite ban imposed on him by the PCB. "Yousuf seems to be adamant on his retirement and although we need him for Tests, we cannot force him out of retirement," Waqar said.

Pakistan have also included Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik, two players penalised by the PCB in the aftermath of a winless tour of Australia, as well as Shoaib Akhtar in a preliminary squad of 35 for Asia Cup and the tour of England.