KARACHI, Jan 15: Sacked Pakistan captain Moin Khan received a boost to his uncertain career when a top official said he would be included in the pool of players for the World Cup.

“Moin will be added to the pool of players for the World Cup which will be named after the series against the West Indies,” chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia said.

He said the group of 20-25 players would attend training camp that would be held either at Murree or Abbottabad. He said the camp would commence immediately after the Sharjah series and will continue until the next international assignment.

“Moin is a gutsy, brave cricketer. His services to Pakistan are meritorious and I don’t think he can be ignored.

“He will be included because for a competition like World Cup, Pakistan cannot rely on any inexperienced or young wicketkeeper,” Tauqir said.

Moin was dumped after the tour to New Zealand last March on fitness grounds and slump in form.

“In my book, he remains the second choice wicketkeeper. He has been playing domestic cricket in which he has done well, both with the bat and behind the stumps. He looks to have regains fitness as well,” the PCB supremo said.

Tauqir said besides Moin, Fazle Akbar, Mohammad Zahid, Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir and Hasan Raza will also be included.

“I personally believe Fazle Akbar has not got a fair deal despite doing pretty well. As regards Zahid, he has bowled fast even on docile tracks which confirms that he has regained fitness.”

He said Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir and Hasan Raza were future prospects who needed to kept with the team so that they can learn, remain fit and sneak into the team when required.