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19 June 2004
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Saturday
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30 Rabi-us-Saani 1425
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Shoaib named in Asia Cup training camp: No place for Afridi
By Our Sports Correspondent
LAHORE, June 18: Pakistan's selectors have included controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar while there is no place for the one-day specialist Shahid Afridi in the list of 26 players named to attend the Asia Cup training camp
scheduled to be held from June 28 in Lahore.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar M. Khan, chief executive Ramiz Raja and chief selector Wasim Bari all have have been issuing contradictory statements on paceman's availability for the past month.
Even his English county Durham admitted that the pacer was troubled by rib injury and may not be fully fit for Asia Cup. "Shoaib has been called for the training camp. But his selection in the final Asia Cup squad would be subject to his passing a fitness test," Bari told newsmen.
Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates are taking part in the tournament starting from July 16. Pakistan are defending champions. Newly appointed English coach Bob Woolmer will arrive on July 2 to take charge of training camp.
Apart from Afridi there are no surprises in the probables list but the selectors have recalled all-rounder Muhammad Hafeez after having ignored him for the home series against India.
The selectors have also invited Shoaib Malik, Shabbir Ahmad and Danish Kaneiria who are currently appearing for English counties. Experienced allrounder Azhar Mahmood and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq have also not been considered.
Probables:
Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Imran Nazir, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, Umar Gul, Kamran Akmal, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Akhtar, Danish Kaneria, Younis Khan, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Hafeez, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Salman Butt, Riaz Afridi, Zahid Saeed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Bazid Khan, Yasir Arafat.
Asia Cup itinerary.
July 16: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, India vs UAE
July 17: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Sri Lanka vs UAE
July 18: Pakistan vs Hong Kong, Sri Lanka vs India
Phase II (all matches to have reserve days
July 21 - A2 vs B2, A1 vs B1
July 23 - A2 vs B1
July 25 - A1 vs B2
July 27 - B1 vs B2
July 29 - A1 vs A2
August 1 - Final
August 2 - Reserve Day
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