Shoaib left out of ODI squad

Shoaib Akhtar, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, has been left out of Pakistan’s squad for the six-ODI series in India, so as to have more time to gain match fitness for the tours ahead.

A statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, “Shoaib’s fitness has improved substantially but he would require more time to become match-fit.”

Shabbir Ahmed, who like Shoaib was ruled out of the on-going Test series, because of a long-term knee trouble, has been rested to give him more time to recover.

Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Khalil, all part of the Test squad, will return home, and be replaced by Mohammad Hafeez, Rao Iftikhar and Shahid Nazir.

Nazir has been selected in the national side for the first time in five years, after he played the last of his 17 ODIs against Sri Lanka in 2000.

Pakistan ODI squad:
Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Shahid Nazir, Rana Naved-ul Hasan, Mohammed Sami, Danish Kaneria, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Arshad Khan.