May 07, 2007	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 19, 1428

LAHORE, May 6: Asian selector Mohsin Khan has asked for the availability of five players for next month’s Afro-Asian series in India.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said Mohsin has asked for the availability of Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi.

The Afro-Asian series comprises a Twenty-20 game and three ODIs is scheduled to be played in Bangalore and Chennai from June 5 to 10.

The PCB had nominated Mohsin, a former Test opener, to represent Pakistan in the selection committee which will pick Asia squad for the series.

The official said since there was no other activity for Pakistan during those dates, he hoped all the players would be available for the series.

However, he said availability would be sought from each player.

If available, Shoaib Akhtar will be returning to ODI cricket after missing out last year’s ICC Champions Trophy in India and 2007 World Cup in the West Indies for different reasons.

The PCB official said Younis Khan had not been considered for the Afro-Asian series since he is busy playing for Yorkshire county in England.