December 5, 2003	Friday	Shawwal 10, 1424

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KARACHI, Dec 4: Experienced middle-order batsman Younis Khan, who has remained out of favour since mid-October, is likely to be named in the 16-man squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

The 26-year-old right-hander was a surprise omission for the recent home Test series against South Africa. He was subsequently dropped for the ongoing one-dayers against New Zealand.

Chairman of selectors, Aamir Sohail, is expected to announce the squad on Friday in Rawalpindi during the course of the fourth One-day International.

Moin Khan, who led Pakistan on the last trip to New Zealand in early 2001, is expected to be the lone wicket-keeper in the party, while all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is also in contention for the two-match Test series after being confined to the one-day arena since the World Cup last March.

Left-hander Asim Kamal, who marked his Test debut with a memorable 99 against the South Africans at Lahore, is certain to be included as well along with Taufiq Umar.

Taufiq, the left-handed opener named man-of-the-series against South Africa, was not considered for the current one-dayers because of knee problems but a definite starter for New Zealand trip.

The forthcoming tour is a big challenge for the Pakistani batsmen in conditions which are near perfect for seam bowling.

India, probably boasting the best batting line-up on the current world stage, experienced a dreadful time in New Zealand in the corresponding period 12 months ago and were heavily defeated in both the Test and one-day series.

The squad leaves for Auckland in the early hours of Dec 11. Pakistan are also scheduled to play five One-day Internationals.

Possible squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain), Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Saleem Elahi, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Asim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan (wicket-keeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria.