Pakistan have recalled opener Imran Nazir and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq for next month's tri-series. Veteran fast bowler Wasim Akram and offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq also made it into the 15-member squad after missing the Asian Test Championship final against Sri Lanka earlier this month.

"This is the best possible team and we have given Nazir another chance on the basis of his recent form in the domestic season," chief selector Wasim Bari told AFP. "Akram's fitness was our main worry, and now after he proved his fitness he is back in the team."

Pakistan play New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Sharjah from April 8-17.

Pakistan's main worry remains at the top of the order as they struggle to find a reliable opening partner for Shahid Afridi. Nazir is one of seven openers Pakistan have tried in the last year. Left-hander Taufeeq Umar, tipped to replace Saeed Anwar, was axed after a run of poor form. Anwar was ruled out of the tri-series as he had not completely recovered from a wrist injury.

The 20-year-old Nazir, who has played 35 one-day internationals, toured England with Pakistan in 2001, but play only six ODIs last year. Misbah-ul-Haq - nonrelation of Inzamam-ul-Haq - played one Test for Pakistan in New Zealand early in 2001.

Also back in the squad is allrounder Azhar Mahmood. He was originally named in place of Faisal Iqbal, a batsman, but Faisal - a nephew of the former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad - was added to the squad shortly afterwards.

Squad Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Abdur Razzaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Azhar Mahmood, Rashid Latif (wk), Wasim Akram, Shoaib Malik, Waqar Younis (capt), Saqlain Mushtaq, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar.

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