Kamran Akmal has been cleared recently by the PCB’s integrity committee.—Reuters photo

LAHORE: While wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal is likely to make a return to national ranks for the upcoming One-day International series against New Zealand, veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf’s induction remains doubtful as the selectors meet here on Wednesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the said series.

The selectors were to meet on Tuesday for the purpose but they deferred the proceedings for one day, to wait for the decision of the spot-fixing case hearing — involving Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir — conducted by the ICC Anti-corruption tribunal headed by Michael Beloff. The decision was expected to be announced at the hearing in Doha on Tuesday.

However, now as the tribunal has deferred the decision until Feb 5, the trio will continue to remain suspended from all cricketing activities during this period, the possibility of inclusion of any of the three in the squad for the series against the Kiwis is out of the question.

However, it is learnt that Kamran, who has been cleared recently by the PCB’s integrity committee, has bright chances to regain his place at the cost of his younger brother Adnan Akmal.

But the situation about Yousuf looks very much blurred. Sources said the selectors did not have updated report about the match-fitness of the master batsman, who according to reports is playing league cricket in Bangladesh.

Sources further said the PCB is unaware of Yousuf’s performance in Bangladesh.

According to the criterion set for the selection committee to pick any player for national duty, a complete clearance about the match-fitness and discipline of that player from the PCB is required. If Yousuf fails to get the selectors’ nod, Azhar Ali may be retained for the ODI squad, too.

Likely squad: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Yousuf/Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanvir Ahmed, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.