October 15, 2003	Wednesday	Sha'aban 18, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, Oct 14: Forgotten former skipper and wicket-keeper Moin Khan is likely to make a comeback after almost two-and- half-year absence from international cricket when Pakistan selectors on Tuesday named him in the 16-man squad to face South Africa in the first Test starting from Friday at Lahore.

Yousuf Youhana will lead the side in the absence of Inzamam-ul-Haq who is still nursing a hamstring injury sustained in the second One-day International against Proteas. Paceman Shoaib Akhtar has been named as Youhana’s deputy.

 Moin last played for Pakistan in New Zealand as skipper in 2001 and was replaced by Rashid Latif who decided to skip the two-Test series citing pressing domestic reasons.

Others who are recalled in the squad are openers Taufiq Omer, Imran Farhat, middle order batsman Misbah ul Haq, young wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmad.

Apart from Mushtaq, who played in one ODI against South Africa, all have been drafted in after long lay-offs.

But there is no place for middle order batsman Younis Khan - touted by many as future captain - all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, utility man Mohammad Hafeez, medium pacer Umar Gul and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. All of them played against South Africa in ODIs.

Karachi’s middle-order batsman Asim Kamal is the only uncapped player in the 16-member side.

Chief selector Aamir Sohail told Dawn that Moin’s selection was necessary after Rashid ruled himself out of the two Tests.

To a question that almost all the seniors players were being recalled one after another into the team will it not harm the much-publicised process of rebuilding, Aamir declared that while rebuilding was one of the board’s priorities, victory too was also very important.

“We consider Moin as the best choice to replace Rashid and have also given a chance to Kamran Akmal as stand-bye and as far as rebuilding of the team is concerned. Asim is also fresh blood”, Aamir pointed out.

Moin, who last toured New Zealand in 2001 as captain but played only first two Test and missed the later stage of the tour due to injury problems got the selectors’ nod after more than two years in wilderness.

Originally Moin was expected to lead in the World Cup-2003, but he fell foul of PCB’s mind-boggling policies over the past two and half years.

Aamir elaborated that Moin’s inclusion would provide strength to the batting department, besides he was one of the best wicket-keepers of the country.

He added that Inzamam was advised by a panel of doctors to take a rest and he would be fit for the second Test scheduled to played at Faisalabad from Oct 24.

He disclosed that Youhana was also not 100 per cent fit at the moment due to hamstring injury but was expected to be fully fit before the start of the first Test.

Aamir went on to say that leg-spinner Mushtaq had been included subject to his physical fitness. If Mushtaq would not be fit, pacer Umar Gul will replace him.

Mushtaq played the first One-day against South Africa at Lahore but was later ruled out due to injury problems.

Imran, who played the third Test against Australia at the neutral venue, Sharjah in 2002, when several senior players had shown their unavailability, eventually got the nod.

Imran had been giving remarkable performances in the domestic seasons and the trial matches, but was being constantly ignored by the selection committee.

He scored 64 and also took two wickets with his leg spinners against South Africa while representing City Nazim Eleven in a practice match.

Aamir remarked that Imran and Taufiq will open the innings while Yasir Hameed would bat at one-down. Yasir had successfully opened the innings against South Africa in ODIs.

Aamir said that Younis, Hafeez and Razzaq could not find a place in the team due to their performances against South Africa.

Asked if PCB had decided to prepare spinners wicket as Pakistan had included three spinners, Aamir said that only sporting wickets would be prepared.

Squad:

Taufiq Omar, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Yousaf Youhana (captain), Aasim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan (wicketkeeper), Shoaib Akhtar (vice-captain), Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Shabbir Ahmed, Salman Butt, Faisal Iqbal, Mushtaq Ahmad, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Misbah ul Haq.