December 02, 2006	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 10, 1427

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KARACHI, Dec 1: Pakistan cricket selectors on Friday recalled leg-spinner Danish Kaneria while overlooking the credentials of all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the first One-day International against West Indies at Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Surprisingly, Inzamam-ul-Haq was also named in the squad - which has been specifically picked for just one game - despite his unavailability for the series opener on Tuesday since he would be serving the final part of a four-match ODI ban for his role in the infamous Oval Test fiasco last August.

In Inzamam’s absence, Younis Khan will captain the side.

Wasim Bari, the chairman of selectors, said Kaneria had been included keeping in mind Pakistan’s tour of South Africa and the World Cup in the Caribbean next year.

“We think Kaneria could be as successful as Anil Kumble has been for India in their ongoing series in South Africa. Moreover, we are also going there early next year so he might give an option for the one-day series,” Bari explained.

Yasir Hameed, who was a non-playing member of the Test squad, has retained his spot while slow left-armer Abdur Rehman also wins a place after being included in the squad for the first two Tests.

There was no such luck, however, for medium-pacer Shahid Nazir despite his creditable haul of 11 wickets in the 2-0 Test series win over the West Indies.

Ignoring Shahid for the ODIs, the selectors have opted for fast bowler Mohammad Sami who was named in the third Test squad but didn’t make the playing XI.

As expected, medium-pacers Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Rao Iftikhar have been picked after performing well in the ongoing Patron’s Trophy Grade-I competition.

As for Afridi’s omission, the selectors have justified the move saying his recent performances did not merit his inclusion in the side.

“To be honest, Afridi hasn’t done well in domestic cricket this season. But he shouldn’t get disheartened since the door is always open for him to win back his place, said chief selector Wasim Bari.

“But he must realize that without performing on the domestic circuit a player cannot justify his inclusion.”

Normally an integral part of the one-day side, the 26-year-old hard-hitting all-rounder has paid heavy price for his indifferent form during the summer’s England tour and the ICC Champions Trophy in India.

In 17 One-day Internationals this year, Afridi has scored only 114 runs with a highest of 23 against England at Trent Bridge last September, averaging a poor 8.14 per game. His 14 wickets in the matches have also cost him over 40 each.

The West Indies, who have already announced their squad, suffered a huge setback on Friday when their vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan was ruled out of the limited-overs series with a fractured instep in his right foot.

One-day specialists Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Smith and Ian Bradshaw would Fidel Edwards, Daren Ganga and Omari Banks, who were all returning home along with the injured Sarwan.

The remaining four one-dayers are slated for Faisalabad (Dec 7), Lahore (Dec 10), Multan (Dec 13) and Karachi (Dec 16).

Pakistan squad for first ODI: Younis Khan (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Hameed, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar, Abdur Rehman, (Inzamam-ul-Haq).