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Two newcomers in Pakistan squad for Abu Dhabi series
Cricinfo staff
May 7, 2007

Only two new faces emerged in Pakistan's first squad after the World Cup, as a new selection committee announced 16 names for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.

Fawad Alam, the young Karachi allrounder, who had such an outstanding domestic season, has expectedly taken his place in the squad. And Najaf Shah, a left-arm fast medium bowler who plays for PIA and Rawalpindi, has also been called up after an impressive domestic season and some equally impressive performances in the trial matches played between the 39 probables that attended the recent camp at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Shoaib Malik, who will be captaining Pakistan for the first time in the series, stressed that these were the best players available. "These are all deserving players and it is the best team available to us. The selection committee discussed the names with me and the decision was taken between us."

A vice-captain for the squad is to be announced later in the afternoon and it is widely believed that Mohammad Asif, back after missing the World Cup, will be named. Shahid Afridi's name has also come up in discussion for the post.

Kamran Akmal, for the time being, retains his place as the leading wicketkeeper in the land. Without an understudy in sight, the move is seen as a vote of confidence in him by a new, empowered selection committee.

Opener Salman Butt has also made a comeback into the squad, having been dropped after a disappointing tour to England last year. Talat Ali, recently appointed manager of the team for two years, will also be the acting coach for the three-match series.

Pakistan are without Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar, the former currently turning out for Yorkshire and the latter not fully fit yet.

Squad
Shoaib Malik (capt),
Salman Butt,
Imran Nazir,
Mohammad Hafeez,
Yasir Hameed,
Mohammad Yousuf,
Shahid Afridi,
Fawad Alam,
Kamran Akmal (wk),
Abdul Razzaq,
Mohammad Asif,
Mohammad Sami,
Umar Gul,
Rao Iftikhar,
Najaf Shah.