Wasim picked in team for Sharjah

Karachi, March 15: Former captain Wasim Akram on Wednesday was named in a 15-man squad for the Sharjah triangular series 48 hours after being dropped on fitness grounds.

However, Wasim will have to prove his fitness before the team leaves for the series involving South Africa and India and starting in the desert city from March 22. Pakistan play their opening game against India on March 23.

"Wasim assured that he has fully recovered for a groin injury. He has been selected but will have to prove his fitness. Team coach Javed Miandad has been directed to report on Wasim's condition before the squad leaves on 20th," chairman of selectors Wasim Bari said.

Wasim Akram bowled just 13 deliveries in the first Test at Rawalpindi before limping off with a groin injury which sidelined him for the rest of the series.

The major exclusion from the squad was of Ijaz Ahmad who was named in the 18 probables.

Reliable sources said it was because of the deadlock on Ijaz that delayed the announcement of the team for two days.

Saeed Anwar (who made unavailable on Tuesday for fitness reasons), Irfan Fazil and Shahid Nazir are the other three players who missed the bus after being named in the 18 probables.

The team is a combination of three openers, four middle-order batsmen, four past bowlers, two spinners, a wicket-keeper and a genuine all-rounder in Abdur Razzaq.

Wajahatullah Wasti, Naveed Qureshi, Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik have been picked in the squad after being overlooked for the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka which the tourists won 3-0.

Moin Khan (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Shahid Afridi, Wajahatullah Wasti, Naveed Qureshi, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Imran Nazir, Abdur Razzaq, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Akram, Arshad Khan and Shoaib Malik.