The following is the 15-man Pakistan cricket team for the 2003 ICC World Cup to be played in Southern Africa between Feb 9 and March 23:

Chairman of selectors Wasim Bari announcing a 15-man team for the 2003 ICC World Cup Photo © PCB

1. Saeed Anwar
2. Taufeeq Umar
3. Saleem Elahi
4. Younis Khan
5. Yousuf Youhana
6. Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain)
7. Shahid Afridi
8. Abdul Razzaq
9. Azhar Mahmood
10. Wasim Akram
11. Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper)
12. Waqar Younis (captain)
13. Mohammad Sami
14. Shoaib Akhtar
15. Saqlain Mushtaq

Chief Selector's statement
LAHORE: The Chairman of Pakistan cricket selectors Wasim Bari Tuesday unveiled what he called a formidable Pakistan cricket team for the 2003 World Cup with a conviction that this squad had the capacity, talent and capability to regain lost glory.

"Of the 15 selected players, 11 have previously played in World Cups. Besides, there are 14 boys who are playing or have played in the recent tour to Africa. The only newcomers who have not been on tour recently are Saeed Anwar and Azhar Mahmood.

"Saeed has been included because of his rich experience while Azhar Mahmood has an excellent track record in South Africa. Dale Naylor, Surrey's physiotherapist, has informed us that Azhar would be ready for the tournament," Wasim Bari said in a press statement.

Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup while they lost in the quarterfinals at Bangalore in 1996 and were the losing finalists to Australia in 1999.

"It (the team) is a combination of youth and experience. In my mind, there is no doubt this is the team capable of excelling in the World Cup despite a recent poor run of form. But I believe form is temporary and class is permanent and there can't be two opinions that this team has plenty of class, elegance and natural flair," Bari said.

Bari urged the media and the nation to back the team for the mega event.

"The best possible boys have been picked for the tournament. And my request to all you gentlemen is to back this team because today it requires support, motivation and confidence boosting. Instead of criticizing the individuals that would only dent their confidence, they should be made to realize that they are the ones who can rise to the occasion and win back the title," Bari said.

Bari said Shoaib Akhtar has been included in the team after he was given a clean bill of health by the specialists in South Africa. "He has also been cleared by the PCB panel of doctors. A lot of investment has gone into Shoaib for this tournament and now the onus is on him to repay. There is no doubt that he is a match-winner, like others in the team. We have high hopes in him and can only wish him and the team the best of luck."

On the inclusion of Rashid Latif, Bari said his committee has believed and followed the policy of continuity. "Rashid has now been with the team for almost 18 months and has been playing well. He has the experience of 1996 World Cup behind him.

"Kamran Akmal has been identified as a future prospect and has time in hand. As regards Moin, he is an excellent batsman/wicketkeeper but then we had to back our instincts and follow our policy of continuity," Bari said.

On Wasim Akram, Bari said: "The man will be playing his fifth World Cup and at the age of 36 with 490 wickets in the bag, he is still the most feared bowler in the world."

Bari said the captain, vice-captain and coach were consulted before the team was finalised. "Ideally, we would have liked to have made the selections by sitting across the table for discussions. But then we had to meet the cut-off date i.e. December 31 and this trio is in South Africa. Nevertheless, they totally agree with the composition of the squad."

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