KARACHI, Jan 25: Chairman of selectors, Wasim Bari, said on Sunday that his committee would announce a short list of around 18 to 20 cricketers for a brief preparatory camp for next month's crunch series against India.

Bari, who was named as chief selector for the third time last week by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), told Dawn that inviting a large number of players won't serve any purpose.

"I don't support the idea of having a camp with a large crowd of players over a longer period because that would hamper our preparations for the important series against India," he said.

The former Test wicket-keeper remarked that he fancied inviting fewer cricketers to make better use of the camp. "It's pointless to have so many players turning up at the same time since we won't have the time to watch each one individually.

"Why can't we have a short worthwhile camp of say around 18 to 20 cricketers. That way we can plan our strategies by organizing necessary things in an orderly manner."

Bari reiterated that the doors of Pakistan cricket were open to anyone who was willing to make a comeback. "My theory is simple on this topic. Anybody who thinks that he's fit enough and hungry for success, he is welcome to make a comeback.

"We will definitely consider everyone who is actively playing for selection," he said. Former skippers Waqar Younis and Rashid Latif, who got a raw deal at the hands of Bari's predecessor Aamir Sohail, are among those who may make a comeback for the Indian series along with the discarded duo of Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi.

Bari, who was at the National Stadium to watch the Patron's Cup final on Sunday, predicted a hard series against the Indians. "No doubt, it will be a tough series since they are coming after having done so well against the Australians. But we should give them a good fight."