June 09, 2006	Friday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1427

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LAHORE, June 8: In a surprise change of events, the national cricket selectors named medium pacer Shahid Nazir in the 16-member Pakistan squad for the forthcoming tour of England as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

The selectors, who in addition have recalled enigmatic paceman Mohammad Sami, also announced a 14-member Pakistan ‘A’ side for next month’s tour of Australia.

Shahid's inclusion stunned everyone as his name was missing from the original list of 50 probables of the two squads before he was unofficially called up.

“Shahid has been included since Shoaib Akhtar is being ruled out for four to six weeks because of an ankle injury,” chief selector Wasim Bari told reporters on Thursday. “His (Shahid’s) ability to swing the ball in English conditions earns him a place in the squad.”

Bari said Shoaib’s unavailability for the tour was a major blow to the team as the bowler was their chief strike weapon. He hoped the speedster would make quick recovery.

“Shoaib’s fitness will be examined after four to six weeks and he will be given more time to make himself match-fit to earn a place in the team,” he said.

Bari claimed that the team was well balanced and expressed hope it would deliver.

Taufiq Umar, Asim Kamal, Zulqarnain Haider and Rao Iftikhar were named as reserves.

The squad leave for England on June 25. Pakistan play four Tests and five ODIs, one Twenty20 match besides some side matches.

Meanwhile, Misbahul Haq has replaced Hasan Raza as skipper of Australia-bound ‘A’ squad. Bazid Khan, who was overlooked for senior selection, named as vice-captain.

Uncapped trio of medium-pacer Wasim Khan, batsman Fawad Alam and wicket-keeper Mohammad Salman have been rewarded for their performances in the recent domestic season.

Promising paceman Akhtar Ayub has been preferred to left-arm seamer Samiullah Niazi.

Senior squad: Inzamamul Haq (captain) Younis Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Salman Butt, Rana Navedul Hasan, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Shahid Nazir.

‘A’ squad: Misbahul Haq (captain), Bazid Khan (vice-captain), Hasan Raza, Mohammad Hafeez, Riffatullah Mohmand, Shahid Yousuf, Mansoor Amjad, Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Khalil, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Irshad, Wasim Khan, Akhtar Ayub.

Reserves: Samiullah Niazi, Shahzad Malik, Tahir Khan.