October 27, 2007	Saturday	Shawwal 14, 1428

MULTAN, Oct 26: Pakistan’s controversial speedster Shoaib Akhtar and young all-rounder Fawad Alam were the two notable inclusions in the strong

16-member squad for next month’s challenging tour of India which was named by the national cricket selectors here on Friday.

Pakistan will play five One-day Internationals and three Test matches on the tour that commences on Nov 5.

The experienced Shoaib, after serving a 13-match ban over various disciplinary charges, was recalled on Friday to boost the team’s young pace attack that comprises Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar.

The demonic fast bowler is set to return to active cricket on Monday after a two-month absence when he takes the field at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium against South Africa in the fifth and final ODI.

Announcing the team for the Indian tour, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmad said Shoaib, besides having served his ban, had also proved his fitness and form in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy match two days ago and appeared set to play a key role for Pakistan in India.

Shoaib Malik will be leading the side on the tour with his deputy yet to be named. The tour will be crucial for players like Imran Nazir, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Abdul Rehman, Sohail Tanvir and Misbah-ul-Haq who will be keen to prove their mettle on the demanding tour.

Sallu said the team for the Indian tour was a well balanced outfit and boasted talented players in all departments.

“We have three openers, as many middle-order batsmen, four all-rounders and four fast bowlers besides one wicket-keeper and a left-arm spinner which makes the team a balanced, strong combination,” he said.

Speaking about the inclusion of Fawad, Sallu said the youngster had the ability to play spinners quite well and his fine batting qualities could prove handy against the opposition.

The first ODI will be played on Nov 5 in Guwahati, the second at Mohali on Nov 8. Kanpur is the third city to host the ODI on Nov 11 followed by fourth in Gwalior (Nov 15) and final at Jaipur on Nov 18.

The first Test will be played in Delhi from Nov 22, the second in Kolkata from Nov 30 and the third in Bangalore from Dec 8.

Squad:

Shoaib Malik (captain), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Asif, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Rehman, Fawad Alam.