March 10, 2006	Friday	Safar 9, 1427

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LAHORE, March 9: Two newcomers are likely to be inducted in the Sri-Lanka-bound Pakistan cricket team, which is being announced on Friday. Slow left-armer Abdur Rahman and off-spinner Tahir Khan have been reportedly included in a 17-member team for the three-match ODI series.

Chief selector Wasim Bari handed over team list to the PCB on Thursday.

“I have given the team to the PCB and now it is up to them to announce it,” Bari told Dawn.

It was learnt through reliable sources that both Rahman and Tahir were included in the Sri Lanka-bound Pakistan squad. If that is the case, then sending a 17-member team just for the ODIs gives an impression that some of the players have been included as joyriders.

Arshad Khan and Mohammad Sami, both of whom featured in the one-day series against England and India are likely to face the axe.

Likely squad:

Inzamamul Haq (captain), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Muhammad Yousuf, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar, Rana Navedul Hasan, Umar Gul, Faisal Iqbal, Tahir Khan, Abdur Rahman.