May 24, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 18, 1429

KARACHI, May 23: Pakistan will delay announcement of their squad for next month’s triangular One-day International series in Bangladesh, also involving India, till the return of captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson to the country.

Malik is playing for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League which ends on June 1 while Lawson is due to return on June 2 after a month-long break at home in Australia.

If Delhi do not qualify for the semifinals, Malik can return next week itself.

“We have started discussions on the composition of the side but we have also asked the board to let us know about the fitness position of a few players including pacer Mohammad Asif,” chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters on Friday.

Asif has injured his finger webbings while playing for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL but the board has said his injury was not serious and not related to his chronic elbow problem that kept him out of action for six months since October last.

Salahuddin said the selectors would consider Asif only after he is cleared by the board and its medical panel. India are due to announce their squad for the tri-series on May 30 while Bangladesh have also begun their preparations.

The chief selector said he didn’t think there would be enough time left for the selected players to attend any long training camp.

He felt the blooding of several young players in recent one-day series at home against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh had allowed the selectors to build up the bench strength.

“Some good prospects came to the fore in those series and they will be considered for future assignments,” he stated.

—Agencies