KARACHI, Oct 14: Moin Khan, who has not played for Pakistan for two-and-a-half years, on Tuesday expressed shock and delight at his unexpected recall in the squad for Friday’s first Test against South Africa.

“I just can’t tell you how I am feeling at the moment,” the former Pakistan captain told Dawn from Lahore. “But I am grateful to Allah for giving me another chance to represent my country.”

Moin, who has not played in either Tests or One-day Internationals after being dumped as Pakistan captain when the team returned from New Zealand tour in April 2001, said that he was very keen to get back in the groove.

“Obviously, I am raring to perform after such a long time.

“Though it will be a tough call (to play Test) but I have kept myself in shape since I have been playing regularly on the domestic circuit,” he remarked.

Under Moin’s astute leadership PIA did the double last season, winning both the premier Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and the National One-day Championship.

Moin refused to comment on the inclusion of two wicket-keepers in the 16-man squad. Kamran Akmal, who has played four Tests and several one-dayers as Rashid Latif’s understudy, is also named for Lahore Test.

Moin, who played his last Test at Christchurch in March 2001, anticipated a hard fought series against the Proteas, who won the one-dayers 3-2 at the weekend, but added that Pakistan, despite being injury-hit, had the talent and commitment to do well in familiar conditions.

“They are a very good side. But we hope to give them a tough fight all the way. Test cricket is a different ball game as compared to one-dayers, and I am sure Pakistan will stand up to the challenge,” stressed Moin.

When asked how he felt while serving his time in the wilderness, Moin said that he never lost heart and kept performing in the hope that some day he will return to international cricket.

“Yes I was desperate to get back but I can assure you that I was never disheartened despite being overlooked for so long,” he disclosed. “Of course, it’s a nice feeling to know that you are back in the side.”

Moin, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last month, has a decent Test record, scoring 2,493 runs as a gutsy batsman with three centuries and 15 fifties while averaging 28.32. Behind the stumps he accounted for 134 batsmen (114 caught and 20 stumped).

In 190 One-day Internationals, the last being against New Zealand at Dunedin 30 months ago, the right-hander scored 2,853 runs (ave 23.00) with nine fifties and made 257 dismissals (191 catches and a world record 66 stumpings).

He won four of his 13 Tests as skipper while losing just two. In 34 one-dayers under Moin’s captaincy Pakistan won 20 and lost 14.