Shoaib, Yousuf in Pak squad for Abu Dhabi series

Karachi, Nov 03, 2008: Controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar and out-of-favour senior batsman Mohd Yousuf were today included in the 15-member Pakistan team for the three-match one-day series against West Indies in Abu Dhabi starting November 12. Shoaib, who is entangled in a legal fight with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the currently-suspended disciplinary ban, has been rewarded for his fine comeback to the side in the four-nation Twenty20 tourney in Toronto.

Shoaib impressed the new selection committee with some fiery bowling taking four wickets in a Pentangular Cup match in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

The committee headed by Saleem Jaffer, meanwhile, dropped Khalid Latif, Anwar Ali and Sohail Khan from the squad, recalling Yousuf, opener Nasir Jamshed and pacer Rao Iftikhar.


The one-day series comes as a relief for the Pakistan team, which has gone without a Test this year and last played a one-day match in early July in the Asia Cup tournament.

Pakistan had also suggested playing two Tests in Abu Dhabi but the West Indies board rejected the invitation promising to play the Tests next year.

The selectors have also recalled off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who was excluded from the Toronto bound squad after being initially picked by the selectors.

Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (Capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Fawad Alam, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal.