Yasir axed, Aamir named for Kolkata ODI

Published November 2, 2004

KARACHI, Nov 1: Uncapped batsman Aamir Bashir was named on Monday in the 15-man Pakistan squad for the one-off One-day International against India in Kolkata on Nov 13.

Aamir, a 32-year-old right-hander from Bahawalpur who has been in prolific form in the past two domestic seasons while captaining Multan, has been rewarded for his consistency, according to Wasim Bari, the chairman of the national selection committee.

Bari, while announcing the squad on Monday, also said that Taufiq Umar, who was overlooked for the just-concluded series against Sri Lanka, has also been recalled.

The chief selector told reporters that Yasir Hameed was dropped on the basis of his poor form during the series.

However, Inzamam during his post-match briefing, differed with Bari's comments and pointed out that Yasir was being rested for the forthcoming tour of Australia.

Bari, meanwhile, added that fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami were fit enough to play in the Platinum Jubilee match of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

To a question as to why a 15-man squad was being sent for onematch, Bari clarified that the selectors believe in the policy of inducting more new players to gain experience of the international cricket envitronment.

"That is why, we have decided to take along Aamir Bashir since he had performed very well on the domestic circuit," he added.

Squad:

Inzamamul Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain), Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naveedul Hasan, Shoaib Akhtar, Younis Khan, Riaz Afridi, Salman Butt, Aamir Bashir.