Wasim, a borderline case: Third Test

Faisalabad, Dec 2: Former captain Wasim Akram wil be a borderline case when the Pakistan cricket selectors meet on Sunday to finalize a 14- man squad for the third Test.

According to highly placed sources, the selectors and top PCB officials were disappointed by the form of the paceman who has picked just two wickets in as many Tests.

The PCB chairman confirmed late Saturday evening that he had asked the selectors to submit the team on Sunday so that he can discuss it with his five-man advisory panel and release it on Monday. "It will be a very tough decision. But Wasim Akram will certainly be discussed in the meeting," sources revealed while requesting anonymity. They added: "At this stage, Wasim is not an automatic selection."

Wasim, who celebrated his 100th Test here in Faisalabad, struggled with the leather in the three one-day international series conceding 106 runs from 21 overs for his two wickets. However, it will require a lot of guts and courage for the selectors to leave out the 410-wicket man in the last match which could decide the series.

There was also question mark on the selection of Saeed Anwar who stayed in the dressing room throughout England's first innings because of chest infection and high fever. "He will have to prove his fitness for the final Test," sources remarked. But Shahid Afridi and Arshad Khan are certain to be axed from the final Test squad. They are expected to be replaced by paceman Waqar Younis and Qaisar Abbas who made his debut at Lahore.

"We are contemplating opening the innings with Imran Nazir and Salim Elahi with Abdur Razzaq to bat at No 3 and Qaisar Abbas at No 6," sources said.

Bazid Khan, the former Pakistan A player, may be named in the side if Saeed fails a fitness test.

The likely squad 14: Salim Elahi,Imran Nazir, Abdur Razzaq, Inzamamul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Qaisar Abbas, Moin Khan, Waqar Younis, Danish Kaneria, Saqlain Mushtaq, Wasim Akram/Fazl-i-Akbar/Mohammad Akram, Bazid Khan/Saeed Anwar, Faisal Iqbal and Shahid Afridi.