June 16, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1428

LAHORE, June 15: Younis Khan and Shoaib Akhtar are likely to be picked in the Pakistan squad for a short tour of Scotland next month.

On the tour, Pakistan will play one ODI each against Scotland (July 1) and India (July 3).

Though Younis has not attended the ongoing training camp in Abbottabad, as he is playing county cricket in England, he has made himself available for the tour, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told Dawn on Friday.

“Younis has told me that he is ready to play on the short tour and since he is performing well in England (presently) there should not be any problem about his match fitness and form,” Salahuddin stated.

When asked Younis had informed the PCB earlier he was not available for Pakistan till September while he has changed his mind now, Salahuddin responded it was Younis’s decision, adding since his revised decision was not clashing with the selectors’ policy there was no problem in considering him for the selection.

“The selection committee has already announced that the players, who are currently playing county cricket with the PCB’s permission, will not face any problem for selection in the Pakistan team, therefore, Younis can be considered,” Salahuddin explained.

He further stated that the selectors had almost finalised the squad for the Scotland tour, adding it would be announced on Saturday after the PCB chairman’s approval.

Shoaib Akhtar, who is currently attending the Abbottabad camp without any fitness problem, is seeking a place in the team after missing the World Cup.

“Shoaib is fit and showing improvement and he will also be considered,” the chief selector said.

The selection committee has also reached Bhurban, a hill resort, on Friday after watching the probables in the training camp at Abbottabad, to meet the chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf before announcing the team.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin said the camp in Abbottabad was progressing smoothly, adding the Pakistan Army trainers were doing a good job to keep the players physically fit.

Pakistan’s likely squad:

Shoaib Malik, Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul.