Talented Anwar Ali invited for Pakistan camp

KARACHI: Pakistan have invited young fast bowler Anwar Ali and Junaid Zia for a training camp getting underway in Lahore from Saturday in preparations for a three-match One-day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi next month.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman told this correspondent here on Wednesday that Anwar Ali and Junaid Zia, a discarded ODI pacer, have been included in the list of probables for the Abu Dhabi series to be played from May 9-15.

The duo has been brought in after the PCB decided to exclude three players from a 39-man list announced for the training camp as the trio is playing professional cricket in England.

Test fast bowler Shahid Nazir was allowed by the PCB to play league cricket in England while discarded Test batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and Mansoor Amjad, a young leg-spinner, have also been relieved.

The spokesman said that the players told a PCB official on Wednesday that they preferred to play league cricket in England over the training camp.

Anwar Ali, 19, has been awarded a perfect opportunity to exhibit his talents in the training camp to be held from April 28-May 4.

The Karachi youngster rose to international limelight when he took 5-35 in a memorable Pakistani triumph in the Junior World Cup final against India in Colombo last year.