LAHORE, Nov 27: Opener Salman Butt was retained Pakistan captain for next year’s Youth World Cup to be played in New Zealand from Jan 15.

Paceman Junaid Zia, son of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia, was retained vice-captain.

Chairman of junior selection committee Zaheer Abbas also announced the squad and unnecessarily made comments on the ability of the team which landed him in an embarrassing position.

As Zaheer said the team had good bowlers and fielder but not quality batsmen, he was left dumb-founded when he was asked wasn’t it strange that Haroon Rasheed (team coach) had failed to improve the technique of the stroke-makers despite being a batsman of repute.

Zaheer said more emphasis would be laid to improve the batting department in the training camp which would be held at Rawalpindi, the dates of which would be announced later.

He said Rawalpindi was selected for the camp as it had similar grassy pitches as in New Zealand.

Five reserves players were also announced.

Squad:

Salman Butt (captain), Atiq-ur-Rehman, Khaqan Arsal, Asim Munir Butt, Mohammad Fayyaz, Irfanuddin, Azhar Ali, Amin-ur-Rehman, Arslan Mir, Kamran Sajid, Kamran Younis, Najaf Shah, Umer Gull and Junaid Zia (vice-captain).

Reserves: Mohammad Khalil, Zulqarnain, Saqib Zia, Azam Husain, Yasir Shah.