Houston, July 18: Demon bowler Wasim Akram and allrounder Shahid Afridi will spearhead Pakistan’s challenge in the International Double Wicket Championship which opens at Reliant Astrodome Indoor Stadium from Friday.

Wasim pairing with Shahid Afridi and unusual duo of Saeed Anwar with Yousuf Youhana are the major attractions for the large number of expatriates from Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

Defending champions Wasim and Afridi are strong favorites to clinch the top prize of $ 25,000 in three-day $ 50,000 competition.

Organizers included opener Saeed and Youhana in the competition as the originally picked pair of Azhar Mahmood were unable to secure American visa in time while Abdur Razzaq was busy playing in County Championship in England.

Pakistan’s young Test cricketer Hasan Raza was specailly invited from England to appear in the championship as a fielder. Local US players will be performing the duties of fielders and as well as wicket-keeper.

Two Indian pairs to figure in the event are Nayan Mongia with Rohan Gavasker and Sunil Joshi with Jadeja, brother of former Indian player Ajay Jadeja.

The organizers were also forced to change the teams from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Athar Ali and Farooq Khan will now represent Bangladesh while Upul Chandana will be paired with Kumar Dharmsena in Sri Lankan team.

Faud Bacchus and Amjad Khan will represent host USA and Canadian pair is Ishwar Maraj with Abdool Samad.—APP