January 10, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 9, 1426

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LAHORE, Jan 9: Pakistan selectors have named opener Imran Farhat in the Pakistan 15-member squad, announced on Monday for the first Test against India starting from Friday at Qadhafi Stadium.

Imran has made a comeback after one year in the wilderness.

He was dropped after the team’s tour to Australia in Dec-Jan 2004-05 where almost all the batsmen failed. “I am delighted over the decision of my inclusion in the team. It has been the result of my good performance in the domestic season and a century against India in the practice match,” Imran said while talking to reporters.

Imran, who has 15 Test, said that if he was picked in the playing XI he would try to perform and also to cement his place in the team.

Imran’s inclusion was in doubt since coach Bob Woolmer and captain Inzamamul Haq had promoted all-rounder Shoaib Malik as Salman Butt’s partner. But cricket experts, including legend Imran Khan had urged the need for a regular opener.

Meanwhile, Umar Gul, Asim Kamal, Yasir Hameed and Raffat Ullah, who had been attending the conditioning camp, which ended on Monday, were not included in the squad.

Yasir was not selected as he is suffering with typhoid. But surprisingly, Abdul Razzaq, who has also been suffering with the same disease and admitted to a hospital a week ago retained his place in the squad.

Razzaq, who has played 37 Tests, had also missed the three Test series against England for his elbow injury but remained with the team.

Hasan Raza who hit a sparkling 75 in the practice match against India also failed to get the nod of the selectors.

Squad: Inzamamul Haq (captain) (105 Test, 8052 runs), Younis Khan (vice-captain) (39 Test, 2886 runs), Muhammad Yousuf (62 Test, 6981 runs), Abdul Razzaq (37 Tests, 1523 runs and 77 wickets), Shoaib Akhtar (39 Tests, 161 wickets), Shahid Afridi (20 Tests, 1290 runs, 39 wickets) Muhammad Sami (24 Tests, 65 wickets), Shoaib Malik (12 Tests, 559 runs, 12 wickets), Salman Butt (nine Tests, 611 runs), Rana Navidul Hasan (seven Tests, 15 wickets), Kamran Akmal (18 Tests, 775, runs, 61 catches, 12 stumps), Arshad Khan (nine Tests, 32 wickets), Danish Kaneria (31 Tests, 143 wickets), Imran Farhat (15 Tests, 841 runs), Muhammad Asif (one Test, no wicket).