Former Pak captain Mohammed Yousuf’s family members embrace Islam

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Family members of former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammed Yousuf have embraced Islam, almost five years after he turned to the religion from Christianity.

The Nation quoted a private television channel as reporting that Yousuf’s three brothers along with their family members have embraced Islam.

Yousuf, who was known as Yousuf Youhana prior to his change of religion, had accepted Islam in 2005 much to the discomfort of his family members, particularly his mother.

“I don”t want to give Yousuf my name after what he has done. We came to know about his decision when he offered Friday Prayers at a local mosque. It was a shock,” Yousuf’s mother had said when the news about his son changing his religion was first made public.

Yousuf was effectively banned from playing international cricket for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March following an inquiry into the team”s defeat during the tour of Australia, which held him responsible for the team’s shoddy performance during the tour.

He later announced his retirement from all formats of the game in protest against the PCB’s decision. (ANI)

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“Frustated” Younis demands suspension of indefinite ban imposed by PCB

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, May 16 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan has asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to lift the indefinite ban on him, saying that the allegations made against him were baseless.

“Younis is frustrated at the delay in hearing and has demanded the ban should be suspended with immediate effect,” Younis’ counsel Ahmed Qayyum told media persons after the one-man tribunal hearing his appeal against the ban deferred the case till May 29.

Younis along with former skipper Mohammed Yousuf was banned for an indefinite period by the PCB following a report of an enquiry commission which blamed them for infighting in the team during the disastrous tour of Australia during December 2009-January 2010.

Several other players, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also banned and fined on the basis of the enquiry commission’s report.

Except Yousuf, who retired from cricket in protest against the ban, all six penalised players have lodged appeals against the ban and fine slapped by the board.

Qayyum also criticised the PCB for the way it has been handling the whole issue, and demanded an open proceeding of the case.

“We want to argue against all those people who have accused Younis of being ‘arrogant and causing problems’, an opportunity not given to us yet,” The Daily Times quoted Qayyum, as saying. (ANI)

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No evidence to prove Younis Khan’s Oz ‘misconduct’ charges: Counsel

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dubai, May 5 (ANI): Former Pakistan cricket captain Younis Khan’s lawyer has said there was no evidence against his client which could prove that his behaviour was not upto the mark during the Australian tour following which he was banned for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Mohammed Ahmed Qayyum said he has gone through the PCB’s inquiry committee’s report, which had recommended a ban on both Khan and Mohammed Yousuf, and could find nothing against his client.

“I have seen the documents personally at the PCB headquarters and I found no evidence at all against my client,” Qayyum said.

“Younis Khan was not a part of the team on the New Zealand tour and was only a member of the one-day side on the Australia tour,” he added.

Qayyum said he would urge the PCB for an open enquiry in Khan’s case, and let the people of the country to see the truth.

“Yes, we shall certainly press for the open hearings and let the world know about his innocence,” The Nation quoted Qayyum, as saying.

The second round of hearing, which is being presided over by a former high court judge, Irfan Qadir, is scheduled to take place on Saturday (May 8). (ANI)

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Banned, fined Pak players to appear before PCB appellate tribunal on Friday

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.28 (ANI): Pakistani cricketers, who were banned and fined by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), have been summoned to appear before a one-man appellate tribunal on Friday for a hearing into the appeal filed by them against their respective punishments.

Last week, the PCB had appointed retired high court judge Irfan Qadir to hear the appeals of players who were punished for different accounts of violation of the board’s code of conduct.

“I have issued notices to the players to appear on Friday for a preliminary proceeding on their appeals and they will be given all basic rights under the law,” The Daily Times quoted Qadir, as saying.

“If some of the players demand specific reasons for their punishment, we will provide them with that as well, as this is their right,” he added.

Last month, the PCB had imposed an indefinite ban on former captains Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf after an enquiry commission found them responsible for infighting, which led the team down during the disastrous Australia tour.

All-rounders Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were fined two million rupees each and banned for a year. Incumbent T20 skipper Shahid Afridi was also fined three million rupees for his shocking ball-chomping act during the last one-day international against the Kangaroos.

Brothers Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal were fined Rs 3 and 2 million respectively for discipline breaches and were given six months’ probation.

Following the ban Yousuf retired from international cricket in protest. (ANI)

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Rana Naved serves legal notice to PCB questioning reasons behind ban

April 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Apr.1 (ANI): Pakistani fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has served a legal notice to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) asking the board to explain the reasons for imposing a year’s ban and a hefty fine on him.

“Naved has sent a legal notice to us in which he has inquired about the reasons of his punishment and we will soon respond to it,” a PCB spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the board has already given reasons for the punishments and now the cricketers were free to appeal against the decision.

“We have already issued charge sheets and now the players can appeal to an arbitrator through the PCB governing board, and if the arbitrator asks us to give detailed reasons of punishments we will comply,” The Daily Times quoted the spokesperson, as saying.

The players have 30 days from the date of receiving the charge sheets to appeal to a three-judge tribunal

The spokesperson also said that former captain Younis Khan has sent a letter demanding the reasons for banning him from all forms of cricket for a year.

“We have also advised Younis to appeal and if the arbitrator asks for detailed reasons of his punishment we will follow the process,” he said.

The PCB had banned and slapped hefty fines on seven senior cricketers, including former captain Mohammed Yousuf, and incumbent T20 skipper Shahid Afridi following an inquiry into the team’s poor show in Australia.

Pakistan suffered a complete white wash during the tour Down Under losing all three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match. (ANI)

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Retirement Yousuf’s personal decision: PCB

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.31 (ANI): Describing former captain Mohammed Yousuf’s decision to retire from international cricket as his ‘personal’ choice, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it is now up to the selection committee to decide to whether pick him up for future assignments or not.

“Retirement is Yousuf ‘s personal decision, it now depends on the selection committee whether they select him for future assignments or not,” PCB Chief Operating Officer (COO) Wasim Bari said.

Bari declined to comment on whether the PCB would ask Yousuf to reconsider his decision.

Meanwhile, several former Pakistani cricketers have denounced the PCB for forcing Yousuf to hang his boots.

Former captain and Yousuf’s teammate Inzamam-ul-Haq criticised the PCB for ill-treating a player like Yousuf.

“You don’t treat senior players like this, there is total confusion and contradiction in the charges made against Yousuf by the inquiry committee. I think Yousuf is hurt and will not change his decision,” Inzamam said.

Another former skipper Rameez Raja described Yousuf’s decision to call it a day as a ‘bitter end to a glorious career.’

“For the last six months controversies have followed him and forced him to take this decision,” Raja said. (ANI)

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Ex Pak greats horrified over PCB’s ‘vindictive’ stance that led to Younis’ ‘retirement’

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.31 (ANI): Former Pakistani cricketers have blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for ill-treating prolific middle order batsman Mohammed Yousuf, who had announced his retirement from international cricket in protest against the indefinite ban imposed on him by the board.

Former fast bowler and the current team coach Waqar Younis has asked Yousuf to reconsider his decision of bidding adieu to international cricket, and said the middle-order batsman still has a lot to offer.

“Yousuf still has a lot of cricket left in him and he should review his decision for the sake of Pakistan cricket,” The Nation quoted Waqar, as saying.

Yousuf had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, saying he is hurt by the treatment meted out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had imposed an indefinite ban on him following the winless tour Down Under.

However, Yousuf has kept the doors for a comeback ajar, as he had said that he is retiring from the game ‘ for the time being’.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas also rued Yousuf’s decision, saying Pakistan cricket would badly miss the services of the ace batsman.

Abbas said echoed Waqar’s statement, saying Yousuf still remains one of Pakistan’s best batsmen.

“Yousuf is a world-class batsman and can still play Tests for Pakistan.Everyone knows the reason behind his decision, so he should decide on his future and we must respect that,” Abbas said.

Yousuf’s former teammate, Inzamam-ul-Haq criticised the PCB for ill-treating a senior player like Yousuf.

“You don’t treat senior players like this, there is total confusion and contradiction in the charges made against Yousuf by the inquiry committee. I think Yousuf is hurt and will not change his decision,” Inzamam said.

Another former skipper Rameez Raja described Yousuf’s decision to hang his boots as a ‘bitter end to a glorious career.’

“For the last six months controversies have followed him and forced him to take this decision,” Raja said. (ANI)

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Banned, fined players can appeal according to board’s constitution: PCB

March 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.27 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified that the players, who were banned and slapped with hefty fines, can appeal against the decision as per the board’s constitution.

A statement issued by the PCB said: “All the seven players who were banned or fined after the Australian Tour Inquiry Report have the right to appeal as per the guidelines laid down in the PCB Constitution clause number 35.”

It may be noted that the PCB had given 30 days time to the players to appeal.

The PCB had suspended former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan for one year, and slapped hefty fines on star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and his batsman brother Umer Akmal following the recommendations of a committee headed by the Chief Operating Officer (CCO) Wasim Bari.

It had also banned former captains Mohammed Yousuf and Younnis Khan for an indefinite period.

The PCB had formed the six-member committee to look into Pakistan’s deplorable performance during the tour of Australia, during which the visitors were white washed in all three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match. (ANI)

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Ban, fine on Pak players an act of ‘revenge’ by ex-team manager: Basit Ali

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.23 (ANI): Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has described the ban and fines imposed on some of the senior players by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as an act of ‘revenge’ by former team manager Yawar Saeed.

In an interview with PakPassion.net Ali denied there being any rift between Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan, and criticised the PCB for sending Younis to Australia for the one-day series and not during the Test series, as was being demanded by Yousuf.

He said during his stint as the skipper, Younis Khan had wanted a young team and support staff but the PCH chairman Ijaz Butt appointed ageing Saeed as the team manager, which gave way to altercations in the dressing room.

“When Younis became captain, he wanted young and committed people with him. Unfortunately, Ijaz Butt gave him elderly people, such as Yawar Saeed, and a rift started, leading to the bans now,” Ali said.

He also questioned the selective imposition of bans on players only, asking why the team management was not fined or banned as well for the poor show in Australia.

“Why is it just the players? Aqib, Intikhab, etc were there too, but are not banned? In fact, Intikhab was made Director of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), so he has been given another good job, why?” Ali asked.

Ali said the prime reason behind Younis’ resignation from captaincy in 2009 was ‘politics’ in the dressing room, and added that the PCB would be ‘forced’ to appoint the skipper once again for the forthcoming tour of England.

“Younis was the only true patriot amongst all these players. In my view, Younis Khan will definitely play for Pakistan again and mark my words, he will be captaining the Pakistan team against England this summer,” he predicted. (ANI)

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Afridi likely to be named T20 captain today

March 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Islamabad, Mar.23 (ANI): Flamboyant all rounder Shahid Afridi is likely to be appointed as the captain of the Pakistan team for the ICC World T20 Championship, which will be held in West Indies next month.

After a series of meetings with the team management and players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to hand over the T20 responsibility to Afridi.

An official announcement is likely to be made today (Tuesday, March 23), The Dawn reports.

The PCB had also to name the Test and one-day captain after it banned Mohammed Yousuf for an indefinite period. However, it seems that the board has put the decision regarding the appointment of captain for the two longer versions of the game on the back burner for the time being.

“We are only naming a captain for this format and tournament right now and nothing else,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt had told a website earlier.

It may be noted that PCB had announced a 15-man squad for the forthcoming ICC World T20 Championship, but did not name the skipper for the tournament.

Veteran middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Salman Butt were also believed to be in the run for captaincy. (ANI)

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PCB allows Rana Naved to play in Bangladesh T20

March 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.20 (ANI): After allowing Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also given permission to ‘ banned’ fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to participate in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 tournament starting March 26 in Sharjah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a year’s ban on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved and slapped hefty fines on them for violating the players code of conduct during the disastrous Australia tour.

It may be noted that the PCB had issued a strict warning to the players wanting to participate in domestic tournaments of other countries, saying they must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the board.

The PCB had also prohibited players selected for the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship from taking part in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 tournament.

Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Mohammed Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Nazir had signed for the tournament but insiders said the PCB does not want to risk these players ahead of the coveted T20 World Cup and is unlikely to grant them the NOC’s.

The PCB has allowed former captain Mohammed Yousuf, who is also facing an indefinite ban, to take part in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL). (ANI)

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PCB gives Afridi, Akmal brothers central contracts despite being guilty of ‘misconduct’

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.19 (ANI): Rubbing salt into the wounds of banned senior players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has omitted the names of former captains Mohammed Yousuf, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and all rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan from the list of players given a central contract, while offering the same to Shahid Afridi and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

Afridi, and the Akmal brothers (Umar and Kamran) have been included in the list of 37 cricketers who will be offered the year-long contracts despite being slapped with hefty fines for ‘misconduct’ during the winless tour Down Under.

The contracts will be valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010, a statement issued by the PCB said.

While players like Afridi, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal have been named in the ‘A’ category, veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, opener Imran Farhat and middle order batsman Umar Akmal have been bracketed in the ‘B’ category.

Surprisingly, young pacer Mohammad Aamer has also been given a ‘B’ category contract despite performing well through out last year.

In addition to the three categories, the board has introduced a special ‘stipend’ category, which has been offered to top domestic and under-19 cricketers, The Dawn reports.

Players offered different central contracts are:

Category ‘A’: Umar Gul, Salman Butt, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal

Category ‘B’: Umar Akmal, Mohammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal, Faisal Iqbal, Misbahul Haq, Imran Farhat

Category ‘C’: Fawad Alam, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Rehman. (ANI)

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Naming captain for ICC T20 World Cup upto PCB boss Butt: Mohsin Khan

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.19 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief selector Mohsin Khan has said that the final decision regarding naming the captain for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Championship would be taken by the board chairman Ijaz Butt.

Talking to reporters after meeting Butt, Khan said naming the skipper for the upcoming important tournament was upto the PCB chief.

“I met the chairman after meeting the other members of the selection committee. We also discussed the possible captain for the mega event. He is the right person to name the captain because it is up to him,” The Nation quoted Khan, as saying.

The PCB has already announced a 15-member squad for the ICC World T20 Championship to be played in West Indies from April April 30 to May 16 but withheld naming the captain for the coveted tournament.

The PCB has been left with not much choice, as it has banned Test and one-day captain Mohammed Yousuf for an indefinite period and also slapped a hefty fine on Shahid Afridi for his ‘misadventure’ during the tour Down Under.

However, the flamboyant all rounder has emerged as the top contender for captaincy.
The only negative point for Afridi is his involvement in the ugly ball tampering incident in the last ODI against Australia in Perth, where he was captaining the team in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf. (ANI)

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PCB boss Butt appoints controversial ‘close friend’ Yawar Saeed as team manager

March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.19 (ANI): Notwithstanding previous controversies, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has appointed his ‘close friend’ Yawar Saeed as the manager of the national squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Championship, which would be held in the Caribbean from April 30 to May 16.

Announcing an eight-man support staff that would accompany the team during the tournament, Butt named Shafqat Rana as Saeed’s deputy, The Daily Times reports.

Saeed, 75, was in the limelight when former captain Younis Khan had complained against him for creating camps in the team and rifts among players during the ICC champions Trophy last year.

Saeed was also in the six-member inquiry committee that axed Younis from all formats of the game for an indefinite period and recommended heavy fines and punishments to six other senior Pakistan players, including the incumbent captain Mohammed Yousuf.

Pak team’s support staff for ICC T20 World Cup:

Yawar Saeed (manager), Shafqat Rana (associate manager), Waqar Younis (coach), Ijaz Ahmed (assistant coach), Faisal Hayat (physiotherapist), David Dwyer (trainer), Mohammad Talha Butt (analyst) and Khawaja Najam (security manager). (ANI)

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‘Relaxed’ Yousuf, Younis unlikely to challenge PCB’s ban in court

March 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Mar.13 (ANI): Cricketers banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are unlikely to challenge the board’s decision in the court of law, sources said.

According to sources in the PCB, neither Mohammed Yousuf nor Younis Khan have shown any intent of taking legal action against the board for its decision to ban both of them for an indefinite period.

Sources said the ban imposed on these two senior players would be lifted within two weeks.

Insiders said that the players are not thinking on the lines of fighting it in court as they fear PCB could producing some record, which may go against them.

Both Yousuf and Younis are likely to contact the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to sort out issues and find some way to end the altercation.

The PCB had banned both Yousuf and Younis for an indefinite period and imposed hefty fines on star all-rounder Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik following the report of the inquiry, which was formed to probe the reasons behind Pakistan’s pathetic performance in Australia.

Wicket keeper Kamran Akmal, his brother Umar Akmal and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul Hasan were also slapped fines for indulging in player politics and breaking the code of conduct during the winless Australia tour.

There are reports that both Younis and Yousuf did not take the penalties seriously, as they believe that the PCB cannot ignore them for Test cricket.

Pakistan has to play six Test matches, two against Australia and four against England starting from July.

While Yousuf is in Jhang in connection with his preaching engagements, Younis is busy fishing and Afridi is also likely to be involved in preaching for the next couple of days, The Dawn reports. (ANI)

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Karachi, Mar.10 (ANI): Describing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to impose a life term ban on captain Mohammed Yousuf and middle order batsman Younis Khan as ‘unfair’ and ‘unjustified’, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has said that none of the members of the six-men committee probing the disastrous tour Down Under were

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wellington, Mar. 10 (ANI): More and more temporary migrants are applying for student visas to extend their stay in New Zealand because of a new law.

The sharp rise is believed to be fuelled by out-of-work temporary migrants, rather than new student arrivals, applying for student permits.

“Becoming an international student has bought us time, and a second chance at becoming New Zealand residents,” The New Zealand Herald quoted Filipino Danny Ninal as saying.

A new legislation to be implemented from May would require anyone who gives immigration advice to be licensed, but exempts those who provide immigration advice for overseas student.

Overseas advisers are planning to get around the law by directing clients to use the student permit as their pathway to New Zealand.

“New Zealand is not a top migration destination choice and we don”t specifically provide advice solely on New Zealand, so it is not worth it to pay thousands of dollars every year for the licence at the moment,” said one South Korea-based adviser.

“We will be advising anyone who wants to migrate to New Zealand to apply for a student permit instead,” he added.

International students can gain points for their qualifications after graduating from selected courses and apply for permanent residence as skilled migrants.

But Immigration New Zealand says international students would not get an automatic right to residency even after graduating from a New Zealand school.

“International students who have studied the right courses will find that they improve their employability and chances of success under the skilled migrant category,” said Steve Cantlon, the agency”s service delivery group manager.

“But to obtain permanent residence on the basis of qualifications and a skilled job offer, they need to apply separately for residence under the category,” he added. (ANI)

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Life ban on Yousuf, Younis ‘unfair’ and ‘unjustified’ : Inzamam

March 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.10 (ANI): Describing the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to impose a life term ban on captain Mohammed Yousuf and middle order batsman Younis Khan as ‘unfair’ and ‘unjustified’, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has said that none of the members of the six-men committee probing the disastrous tour Down Under were
impartial.

Inzamam said except Wasim Akram, who did not attend the meeting of the committee, all the committee members were biased while recommending the hefty fines and ban on the players.

“I am absolutely against these decisions, as the people who made the decisions were the Board’s employees,” The News quoted Inzamam, as saying.

Meanwhile, former test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has welcomed the PCB”s decision of banning the players.

Nawaz said the step marks the end of players’ politics in the team and would serve a notice to the cricketers to refrain from breaking the rules in future.

“It”s the end of players” power from our national team which is a very good sign. From now on every player will be very careful because they know that they can be fined or banned if they violate discipline,” an outspoken Nawaz said.

He hailed the PCB’s decision to ban both Yousuf and Younis but said that wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan should also have been banned at least for a year for their misconduct.

“Younis and Yousuf had played their innings in international cricket as they have got too old, but Naved and Akaml should have also been banned for one year,” Nawaz said. (ANI)

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PCB awards ‘C’ category contract to pacer Aamir

July 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 2 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded a ‘C’ category contract to rookie fast bowler Mohammad Aamir.

Aamir will get a monthly salary of 100,000 rupees after signing the contract, The Dawn reports.

It may be noted that the PCB had awarded mid-term central contracts to all rounder Abdul Razzaq and middle order batsman Mohammed Yousuf, both of whom had terminated their respective contracts with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) earlier, but ignored 17-year old Aamir, even after his brilliant show in the ICC World T20 Championship.

The PCB’s decision to offer Yousuf a central contract, when he had not played any domestic or international cricket for the last eight months, and sidelining Aamir, even after his stupendous show in the Twenty20 World Cup, had irked several former cricketers and raised questions over the board’s criteria of giving central contacts to players. (ANI)

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Pakistan name uncapped Amin in one-day squad

January 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Karachi, Jan.12 (ANI): Pakistan have included uncapped batsman Umar Amin in a 15-man squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka this month.

‘Amin has been rewarded for his excellent performances in domestic cricket,’ a Pakistan Cricket Board said on Monday.

The left-handed batsman is expected to be given a chance to fill the void created by the defection of senior batsman Mohammed Yousuf to the unofficial Indian Cricket League, the Dawn reports.

The Pakistan selectors included fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is still entangled in a court battle with the board over the 18-month ban and seven million rupees fine imposed last year for disciplinary reasons.

An appeal by Shoaib is pending in the Lahore high court and he has been able to continue playing after the court suspended the ban until the appeal was decided.

Yasir Arafat, the 26-year-old who played the last of his eight ODIs in February last year, was preferred over all-rounder Fawad Alam.

The first one-dayer is on Jan. 21 with further games in Lahore and Multan.

Sri Lanka will also return in February to play two tests in Karachi and Lahore. They were invited for the unscheduled tour by the Pakistan board after India cancelled a test series in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.

Squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Khurrum Manzoor, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Arafat. (ANI)

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