Hafeez, Yasir, Rao likely to join Pakistani team for ODIs
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

BANGALORE (India): The tour selection committee of the Pakistan squad in India will sit down tonight to finalize their team for the six match one-day series against India starting from April 2.

According to sources the tour selection committee that includes the captain, coach, manager and vice captain will decide on which players need to be sent back after the Test series and which players should be asked to join the team for the one-dayers.

"Basically, we will look at our requirements for the one-dayers and then make recommendations to the national selectors. But it is their final decision on the replacements, we can only make the recommendations," said manager Saleem Altaf.

Indications are that the tour selection committee might decide to send back pacer Muhammad Khalil, leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and batsmen Asim Kamal and Taufeeq Umar and ask for all-rounders Muhammad Hafeez and Yasir Arafat and pace bowler Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

Altaf said there was good news regarding the availability of Shabbir Ahmed who had bowled some overs in a practice match.

"I think if he is available and fit he should join the team for the one-dayers," he stated.

Altaf said he was in constant touch with chief selector Wasim Bari and so far there was no fresh development on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

"I think we must give credit to Inzamam for doing his best even when three of his main pace bowlers Shoaib, Shabbir and Umar Gul are not available for this tour."

Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan’s top fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar gave his first real physical evidence on Tuesday that he was ready to join the team in India for the six One day Internationals.

The 29-year who has been complaining of a hamstring strain since January bowled out four overs flat from a full run-up this evening at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

PIA team manager, former Test player Rashid Khan was present at the ground when Shoaib showed up in the evening and asked him to tell the airlines wicketkeeper Ahmed Zeeshan Malik to keep wickets on the main centre pitch while he bowled.

"Zeeshan kept wickets and Shoaib bowled for a full four overs off his full run-up. He seemed to be fine and got plenty of nip into his deliveries," Rashid said from Lahore.

Shoaib, when contacted, said he had been bowling in the nets at the National Cricket Academy for the last two days - but in short spells.

"But today I bowled off a proper run-up on the main pitch to see whether I felt any strain in my hamstring muscles, and so far so good. I have always been keen to join the team for the one-dayers," he said on telephone.

Interestingly, the Pakistan team management, chief selector Wasim Bari and even the Pakistan Cricket Board appear reluctant to accept that Shoaib may have recovered from his hamstring strain and can join the team for the one-dayers from April 2.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said in Kolkata during the second Test that no risks would be taken with Shoaib while coach Bob Woolmer, when asked if he was feeling Shoaib’s absence, made some curt remarks at a press conference this afternoon in Bangalore.●