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Asia Cup: Pakistan names uncapped spinner in 15-member squad

By admin | June 23, 2008

KARACHI: The Pakistan cricket selectors on Sunday included uncapped spinner Saeed Ajmal in a 15-man national squad named for the Asia Cup starting simultaneously in Lahore and Karachi on Tuesday (tomorrow). The squad was announced by chief selector Salahuddin Ahmad here at the National Cricket Stadium. Selectors Shafqat Rana and Salim Jaffer were also present on the occasion.

The 30-year-old, who has performed well domestically, was praised as a ‘quality off-spinner’ by Salahuddin. “Ajmal has impressed with his wicket-taking ability and can also bowl one which goes out like former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and we hope he does well in this tournament,” Salahuddin told reporters. Ajmal, who is playing domestic cricket since 1996-97, has taken 232 wickets in 72 first class matches with an average of 27 runs per wicket. Defending Ajmal’s selection, Salahuddin said Ajmal had performed well in the domestic circuit and one should not be concerned about his age. “There are many examples of aged spinners who played for their countries. Spinners have no age limit,” he maintained.

Pakistan didn’t have a specialist spinner in their squad for the one-week long Kitply Cup, which they won after beating India in the final in Dhaka. Shahid Afridi and Fawad Alam were used by captain Shoaib Malik, who himself didn’t bowl due to a sore shoulder. However, Malik will have more options for the Asia Cup with Ajmal and all-rounder Mansoor Amjad in the team.

The selection committee Thursday axed specialist wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal from a provisional squad of 20. Kamran’s place went to newcomer Sarfraz Ahmad. Kamran had been Pakistan’s regular wicketkeeper since November 2004, when he took over from Moin Khan, and played virtually non-stop in all three formats. However, his inconsistency behind the stumps since the 2006 tour to England cost him his place in the side.

Regarding the fitness of fast bowler Sohail Khan, Salahuddin said Sohail was suffering from malaria and was not fully fit. Middle-order batsmen Naumanullah and Bazid Khan were not able find a place in the outfit. Batsman Yasir Hameed and fast bowler Abdul Rauf, who were amongst the 20 probables, were also omitted from the squad.

Squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Sarfraz Ahmad, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal and Mansoor Amjad.

Topics: Cricket News |