Shoaib, Younis likely to be selected for Scotland tour

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
1

Shoaib, Younis likely to be selected for Scotland tour

Lahore, June 16 : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed has hinted that batsman Younis Khan and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could be selected for the short tour of Scotland next month.

According to Ahmed, both players are match fit and would be considered for selection for the two one-dayers to be played against Scotland on July 1 and India on July 3.

Ahmed said that though Younis is not attending the ongoing training camp in Abbottabad, as he is playing county cricket in England, he has made himself available for the tour.

“Younis has told me that he is ready to play on the short tour and since he is performing well in England (presently) there should not be any problem about his match fitness and form,” the Dawn quoted Ahmed, as saying.

On Shoaib Akhtar, who is currently attending the Abbottabad camp, the chief selector said that the bowler is fit and showing improvement, adding that he would also be considered for selection.

Interestingly, Ahmed said that the selectors have almost finalised the squad and it would be announced after PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf’s approval today.

2

Scotland tour - 15 member Squad announced

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/298230.html

Shoaib, Younis included in Pakistan squad

Cricinfo staff
June 16, 2007

Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan have been named in the Pakistan squad to provide much-needed experience in the wake of Inzamam’s retirement © AFP

Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan have been named in the 15-man squad for Pakistan’s short trip to Scotland. While Younis opted to honour his county commitment by making himself unavailable for national selection after the World Cup, Akhtar not only missed the World Cup due to injury but was also left out of the squad for the Abu Dhabi series against Sri Lanka.

Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Akhtar’s fitness is a good omen for Pakistan. “A fit Akhtar is an asset for Pakistan and we have watched him bowl so he was included,” said Salauddin after picking the squad to play hosts Scotland on July 1 in Edinburgh followed by an ODI against India in Glasgow on July 3.

Akhtar, too, was delighted to be back in the national fold after proving his fitness as he was dropped from the Asian squad for the recently-concluded Afro-Asia Cup on fitness grounds. “I am happy and look forward to play for Pakistan once more. I have been bowling with full throttle and intensity and hope to do well,” he said.

Younis, former vice captain, also returns to stabilise the middle-order after previously making himself unavailable for Pakistan until the end of the county season. Fawad Alam, after a disappointing debut in Abu Dhabi, has been retained in the squad but there is no room for the tall Najaf Shah due to the presence of the experienced quartet of Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif and Rao Iftikhar. Mohammad Hafeez was dropped as well after playing only one match in the Abu Dhabi series while Abdul Rehman, the left-arm spinner, also missed out as Pakistan chose to rely on allrounders for the spin department.

Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami.

3

Re: Scotland tour - 15 member Squad announced

This much shor sharaba for only 2 ODI matches...and one of them will be against Scotland. Hmmmm

4

Re: Scotland tour - 15 member Squad announced

:D

Last person to answer this post wins!!!!
5

Re: Scotland tour - 15 member Squad announced

Finally we might see Shoaib Asif and Gul playing together, even for one match that will be a sight to behold :D

Great to see that Fawad Alam has been retained in the squad despite a disappointing debut. Pakistan mai aisa hota nai hai :)