35 probables named for Asia cup, tour of England

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has announced here on Tuesday 35 probable players for the forthcoming Asia Cup and the tour of England.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi will lead the national team in all three formats of cricket whereas former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik were conditionally included in the probables list. They will be selected only after the ban on them is lifted.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also been named for the probable squad.

The names were announced by chief selector Mohsin Khan at a press conference along with chairman PCB Ijaz Butt and captain Shahid Afridi.

Other probable players are: Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam, Hasan Raza, Azeem Ghumman, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Hameed, Shah Zeb Hasan, Zulfiqar, Zulqarnain Haider, Khurram Manzoor, Asad Shafiq, Tanveer Ahmed, Aizaz Cheema, Aamir Sajjad, Azhar Ali, Umar Amin.

Chairman PCB said that the 17 players for the tour of England would also be selected from these players and the final team would be announced next month.

Replying to a question, he told that Mohammad Yousuf has not been considered as he retired and he may be included in the team if he comes out of his retirement.

Ijaz Butt said that the camp would probably be held in Karachi.

Shahid Afridi said that the tour of England is a difficult task and there should not be much expectations.

To a question, he replied that he has pressure but a complete player can be made after bearing pressure.

Mohsin Khan said that all the players would go through a fitness test before the final selection.