KARACHI (Reuters)
Pakistan's forgotten fast bowler Mohammad Zahid has been recalled to replace injured veteran Wasim Akram in a 15-man squad for a Test series against West Indies on neutral ground in Sharjah.

Zahid's last Test outing was in 1998, when Pakistan met Australia at Peshawar in a match remembered for Australian skipper Mark Taylor's record-equalling knock of 334 not out. Zahid last played for Pakistan in a 1998 one-day international in Toronto, Canada, before a crippling back injury forced him out of first-class cricket for two years.

"To be honest, I was not expecting to be included in the Pakistan team now as this is the first season I am coming back after the injury," Zahid told Reuters. "Having to replace Wasim ... is a big responsibility but I will aim to vindicate my selection," he added.

Zahid's inclusion, despite his taking just 17 wickets in seven first-class matches this season, comes after 35-year-old Akram withdrew from the Bangladesh series with a strained hamstring. "We have recalled Zahid as he is a genuine fast bowler and has the ability to make his mark against the West Indies team in Sharjah," said chief selector Wasim Bari.

After making his debut for Pakistan in 1997 against New Zealand, Zahid was given the tag of the world's fastest bowler by West Indian Brian Lara during a one-day tournament in Australia.

The only other change in the Pakistan squad is the inclusion of Shahid Afridi, who replaces opener Shadab Kabir. The players return from Dhaka on Saturday before leaving for Sharjah less than 48 hours later.

Pakistan squad Waqar Younis (capt), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-capt), Shahid Afridi, Taufiq Umar, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Naveed Latif, Abdur Razzaq, Rashid Latif, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Sami, Saqlain Mushtaq, Danish Kaneria.

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