Wasim named in the squad

Faisalabad, Dec 3: Former captain Wasim Akram made a narrow escape when he was named in a 15-man squad for the third and final cricket Test against England starting in Karachi from Thursday.

There was only one change in the side when Shahid Afridi was replaced by local boy Naumanullah who excelled in the four-dayer at Peshawar and in one of the two one-day warm ups against England.

The chairman of selectors Wasim Bari said from Karachi that Wasim Akram was discussed at length by his panel.

"It was unanimously accepted that the form of Wasim Akram has remained average, both may be because of form and the nature of wickets on which the two Tests were played.

"Nevertheless, it was decided to retain him because of his rich international experience," Bari said.

Wasim has picked just two wickets in the two Tests while his performance in the one-dayers also left a lot of question marks over his fitness and form.

Bari said he had a discussion with the team doctor on the condition of Saeed Anwar.

"The doctor says he has regained fitness after three days of complete rest. He will start training from Tuesday."

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