KARACHI, Oct 18: Pakistan discard Hasan Raza has been named to lead a 15-member Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) squad in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship.

The bankers won the Patron’s Trophy and Pentangular championship last season besides finishing runners-up in the national one-day tournament.

“Because of their national commitments with the national team Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Umar Gul and Abdul Rehman will not be available for the trophy,” the HBL Sports In-charge Abdul Raquib said on Thursday.

Left-handed Test opener Imran Farhat has been included in the HBL side despite signing for the breakaway Indian Cricket League.

HBL will take on Pakistan Customs in their opening four-day match at NBP Sports Complex Ground.

Squad: Hasan Raza (captain), Imran Farhat, Taufiq Umar, Riffatullah Mohmand, Aftab Khan, Humayun Farhat (wicket-keeper), Khaqan Arsal, Farhan Iqbal, Salman Qadir, Irfan Fazil, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Nazir, Fahad Masood, Kamran Hussain and Aslam Qureshi.—APP