RAWALPINDI, Sept 10: Pakistani fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul return to action against a strong Australian ‘A’ side on Sunday after long-standing fitness problems.

Sami has not played for Pakistan since April this year when he suffered a heel injury during the tour of India while Umar has recovered from a stress fracture of the back after a year on the sidelines.

They will play for a Pakistan ‘A’ side in the first four-day unofficial Test in Rawalpindi as selectors closely watch their fitness for this year’s tour by England, which starts on Oct 26.

“Their availability for the England series is very important for us. This match will be a litmus test for them to prove their fitness,” Pakistan coach Haroon Rasheed said.

The Pakistan second-string squad includes 10 Test players, among them Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed and the two pacers.

Australia ‘A’ captain Brad Haddin said his side had a number of exciting players who were capable of graduating to the senior team very soon.

“This tour is going to be a tough one for us and we have players who can go on to play for the seniors from this tour,” said Haddin who has played 10 one-dayers for the senior side.

The Australian side also includes senior players Shane Watson and Mike Hussey while fast bowler Shaun Tait was replaced at the last moment because of his appearance in the Ashes series in England.

The Australians have agreed to play their matches only in Rawalpindi and Lahore, avoiding Karachi for security reasons.

The Pakistan A team is being led by Test batsman Misbahul Haq will be selected from Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Shoiab Malik, Bazid Khan, Asim Kamal, Zulqarain Haider, Imran Tahir, Muhammad Sami, Umer Gull, Ashar Zaidi, Yasir Arafat, Faisal Iqbal, Muhammad Arshad.

The Australia A includes Brad Haddins (captain, Micheal Hussey, Nathan Bracken, Cullen, Clark, Brad Hodge, Hopes, Micheal Lewis, Marcus North, Thornely, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Cameron White.

Meanwhile, both the teams had arrived here and underwent practice session on Saturday in preparation for the four-day encounter starting on Sunday.

—Agencies