COLOMBO, July 13: Defending champions Pakistan arrived in the Sri Lankan capital on Tuesday to take part in the six-nation Asia Cup. The main attraction in the Pakistani team was fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, whose coming to Sri Lanka was not certain.

Shoaib joined the Pakistani training camp on July 5 and went through a strenuous fitness test. Opening batsman Imran Nazir also returned to the national squad after a nine-month break dating to the South African tour of Pakistan in October 2004.

Vice captain Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, skipper Inzamamul Haq and wicket-keeper Moin Khan form a strong middle-order batting lineup while the paceman Shabbir Ahmed and Mohammad Sami will supplement Shoaib Akhtar in the pace department. Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib Malik are the two all-rounders. Pakistan play Bangladesh in their first match on Saturday.

SQUAD: Inzamamul Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Moin Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveedul Hasan, Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Danish Kaneria. -APP/AP