The Pakistan cricket team for next month's tour to Zimbabwe was announced by the Chairman of Selectors Wasim Bari in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Pakistan will play two Tests and five one-day internationals between November 1 and December 1. Team for the tour to South Africa will be announced later on.

A squad of 15 players was named for the Tests while 16 players were announced for the one-dayers. Waqar Younis was retained as the captain while Inzamam-ul-Haq returned as vice-captain.

Squads:
Tests - Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Taufeeq Umar, Saleem Elahi, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Hasan Raza, Faisal Iqbal, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper), Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Sami and Saqlain Mushtaq.

One-dayers - Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Taufeeq Umar, Shahid Afridi, Saleem Elahi, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper), Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Zahid, Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq.

Wasim Bari said Saeed Anwar was left out because he lacked confidence and his fielding has also deteriorated. "Saeed has been with the team since May and has struggled for form and confidence. In a match on Friday on his home turf, he batted at number four which also confirms our apprehensions", Bari told newsmen, adding: "But curtains have not fallen on his career and he will be considered for selection in future".

On the recall of Saleem Elahi, Wasim Bari said: "An extended run was given to all the youngsters. But after their failure to perform at the highest level, we reverted to the best opener that was available in the domestic circuit and Saleem Elahi happened to be that player. Besides, the skipper and the coach also had confidence in his abilities. Taufeeq Umar has looked better than others despite not living up to expectations against Australia. But he has been retained because we feel that he has the talent. As regards Imran Farhat, the boy showed flashes of brilliance in the third Test against Australia but at the same time he showed that he needs sometime to mature".

Wasim Akram was not considered for the Tests but was named in the one-day side. "Wasim wants to concentrate on one-day cricket and that's why he is in the one-day team. The selection committee is also convinced that he is a utility cricketer in that brand of cricket".

Hasan Raza was included for the Tests but will be replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq for the one-dayers. "Hasan's batting style suits longer version of the game while Misbah was more consistent in one-day cricket".

"We have not pressed any panic button in the aftermath of defeat against Australia though we are bitterly disappointed that the youngsters didn't perform to their potential. But we have kept faith in them and only those senior boys have been recalled who were unavailable on fitness grounds".

"Yousuf Youhana has recovered from the shoulder injury while Inzamam-ul-Haq has confirmed his availability and has also told that his heart is there. His doctor has also given him a clean bill of health".

On the inclusion of uncapped Kamran Akmal, Wasim Bari said; "When Moin Khan was the first choice wicketkeeper, we attached a youngster who could be groomed for future. We have maintained that policy this time also when Rashid Latif is the first choice wicketkeeper. The impression that Moin Khan's career is over, is totally incorrect".

Wasim Bari also defended his committee in the backdrop of team's performance against Australia. "My term of reference is to select the best available team in the given conditions. I did that when some of the senior boys were missing. But my term of reference is not to make the team win. None of my selector is a member of the tour selection committee. Therefore, my committee's task finishes after we hand over the best available boys to the team management".

Samiul Hasan
GM Media
October 26, 2002

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