KARACHI, Aug 19: Uncapped batsman Shahid Yousuf was on Saturday inducted in the Pakistan squad for the five-match One-day International series against England.
Wasim Bari, chairman of selectors, announced that the 20-year-old right-hander from Sialkot will shortly leave for England along with a fit-again all-rounder Shoaib Malik.
“The team management has been informed about Shoaib Malik being fit and cleared to play by the PCB’s medical panel.
“At the same time, we have also decided to send Shahid Yousuf for the one-day series,” Bari said.
Malik, the 24-year old who has played in 15 Tests and 118 One-day Internationals, was forced to return home before the Test series with an elbow injury.
“We are sure his inclusion will strengthen the squad and give Pakistan more options for the one-day series.” Bari added.
Meanwhile, batsman Faisal Iqbal and fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir will not be part of the one-day squad. The trio will return home once the Test series ends next week.
Sami was a major disappointment in the first three Tests when Pakistan missed the injured trio of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan through fitness problems. He claimed eight wickets at 58.25.
The touring squad had already sent back left-handed openers Taufiq Umar, Salman Butt and left-arm pacer Samiullah Niazi before fourth and final Test got underway at The Oval.
Mohammad Hafeez, who was sent to England to reinforce the injury-hit squad, made a fine 95 on his comeback to Test cricket after a three-year hiatus.
The one-day series starts at Cardiff on Aug 30 with a day/night match. The remaining matches are scheduled for Lord’s (Sept 2), Rose Bowl, Southampton (Sept 5, day/night), Trent Bridge (Sept 8, day/night) and Edgbaston (Sept 10).
The limited-overs series is preceded by a Twenty20 International between the two sides at Bristol on Aug 28.
Pakistan one-day squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Shoaib Akhtar, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Rao Iftikhar and Shahid Yousuf.
