KARACHI, May 23: Inzamamul Haq will lead a Test-strength Pakistan XI against an Asian XI for two exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia in an effort to promote the game there, organisers said on Tuesday. The matches will be played at Al-Ahli stadium in Jeddah on artificial turf.

Officials said full houses are expected for both ties.

The matches are supported by the Saudi Cricket Centre, formed by expatriates from Pakistan and India. It is hoped Asia's top cricketers will persuade the government and locals that interest in the sport is growing in the kingdom.

Pakistan's team is essentially the first Test eleven, with stars like Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Imran Farhat, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Sami all set to play.

“The matches are aimed to promote cricket in Saudi Arabia and we are happy to be a part of it,” said Pakistan vice captain Younis Khan, of the matches on May 25 and 26.

“We hope to give some good cricket action to the people of Saudi Arabia,” said Younis before the team's departure scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Pakistan are currently resting before a tour of England starting in late June, which comprises four Tests and five one-day matches.

Four Sri Lankans and four Bangladeshis join five Indians to form the Asian squad, which will be led by Indian Test batsman Vangipurappu Laxman.

The team also includes fallen India star Ajay Jadeja, who has served a five-year ban imposed for match fixing in 2000.

Squads:

Pakistan XI: Inzamamul Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Arshad Khan, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.

Asian XI (from): Vangipurappu Laxman (captain), Gautum Gambhir, Ajay Jadeja, Shahadat Hossain, Venkatpathy Raju, Wasim Jaffer, Shahriar Nafees, Roshan Mahanama, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Dharmasena, Dilhara Fernando, Mohammad Rafique, Aftab Ahmed.—Agencies