Asif named vice-captain

In a surprise move today, recently acquitted fast bowler Mohammad Asif, who missed the World Cup due to injury, has been named vice-captain of the Pakistan squad that takes on Sri Lanka this month.

The three match series, to be held in Abu Dhabi, will showcase some of the two countries future stars and emerging talents with a number of high profile players being rested after the recent World Cup.

Asif,24, will serve under newly appointed captain Shoaib Malik, himself only 25. Malik replaces recently retired Inzamam-ul-Haq at the helm of the Pakistan one-day side.

Asif was last year was banned from international cricket after he was found guilty of doping charges. The ruling was later overturned on appeal.

All-rounder Fawad Alam and fast bowler Najaf Shah make their debuts for Pakistan in the new look squad.

Pakistan Squad: Shoaib Malik , Salman Butt, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Najaf Shah.