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Islamabad, Sept 8: Pakistan's belligerent wicket-keeper batsman Moin Khan was named as captain and Saqlain Mushtaq his deputy in a 15-man national cricket team for the Toronto Mini-Series here at Redco Plaza on Wednesday.

After announcing the team chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc committee Mujeebur Rehman maintained that merit, performance and fitness of players have been kept in view in finalizing the squad.

Following are the 15 players: Moin Khan (captain), Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Wajahatullah Wasti, Inzimamul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Hassan Reza, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mehmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Arshed Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed and Shabbir Ahmed.

Rashid Latif, Mohammad Wasim and Akhtar Sarfraz are the three reserves.

Pakistan is scheduled to play three one-day matches against West Indies on Sept 16, 18 and 19.

The chairman ad hoc committee told reporters that there was no other candidate in contention for captainship and Moin Khan was the only choice in place of Wasim Akram.

It was stated that opener Saeed Anwar had confirmed his availability to the chief selector on Wednesday morning. The official said that they have set the precedent of picking a "clean" team based on merit, form and fitness of each player. The recall of Aamir Sohail in the team and Rashid Latif as a reserve should make it clear to everyone that we do not want to discriminate and exclude any potential cricketer.

The official, however, named pacer Waqar Younis, opener Aamir Sohail and leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed to prove their mettle if they want to keep a place in the team. "It has been communicated to them that Toronto or may be Sharjah will be their last chance to prove their form and fitness," Mujeeb said.

We want to establish and demonstrate that there are no prejudices against any player. The exclusion of Shahid Afridi, Saleem Malik and Ejaz Ahmed was because of their lack of form, the chairman said.

It was stated that the future of former skipper Wasim Akram depended on the outcome of the current match-fixing and betting investigation.

Mujeeb vowed that before the Australian tour, he wants to shape up and finalize an ideal national side, which means that a couple of changes are in the offing.

Chief selector Col Noushad Ali who was also present on the occasion defended the selection of Karachi batsman Hasan Reza. "He has just returned after scoring 960 runs in the English season and he has a great potential. At the same time we also have the technical defects in mind which will be removed," the selector said.

Giving profile of 6.5" feet tall pacer Shabbir Ahmed (WAPDA), Col Noushad termed him as good as Shoaib Akhtar. He has a natural kick in his bowling with round arm action coupled with a smooth run up, the official said. It was stated Shabbir will be under full concentration of the coach and manager to gear him upfor the Australian tour. Shabbir has also just returned after playing in English cricket league where he has learnt a lot.

It was stated that the selection committee of Col Noushad, Abdul Raqeeb coach Wasim Raja held a two-day debate amongst themselves before finalizing the side.

National Training Camp: The four training sessions of Pakistan team prior to departure for Toronto Mini Series on Sept 13 will be held at Redco cricket ground. The first training session will be held at 2.00pm on Sept 10, two sessions will be held on 11th while a morning session will complete the short camp here. The players will be lodged in a five-star hotel.

Pcb Blues Team: With the aim to build a second string Pakistan side which would work as a "replacement bank" for the national team, the cricket board ad hoc committee has decided to establish a permanent PCB Blues team.

The best performers in the Under-19 championship and the reverses of Pakistan team will form the team whose list will be shortly announced by the cricket board ad hoc committee.

This team will be pitted in the forthcoming Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Championship. It was stated that team would be employed with PCB under a contract which would pay them handsomely e.g they will be getting Rs 4,000 to a play match.