Pakistan announces probables for Asia Cup

Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal failed to find himself a spot in the list of 20 probables named by the Pakistan selection committee ahead of the Asia Cup.

Young Sarfraz Ahmed was the only keeper named in the 20-member squad that will undergo a two-day conditioning camp in Pakistan ahead of the Asia Cup. Pakistan will announce its final 15-member squad for the six-nation tournament on Sunday.

Akmal has been one of Pakistan’s long-standing wicketkeepers. He came after Moin Khan announced his retirement in 2004 and has played almost consecutively for the sub-continent nation standing in 38 Tests and 88 one-day internationals.

Sarfraz Ahmed, who hails from Karachi, recently replaced Akmal for three one-day internationals. The decision to drop Akmal came after his wicketkeeping and batting came under severe criticism during the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) and the recently-concluded Kitply Cup.

After a lengthy meeting at Lahore on Thursday, Salahuddin Ahmed, Pakistan chief selector said that Akmal still remains the team’s number one keeper but it was time to give other people a chance. He also felt that Sarfraz Ahmed deserved a proper and uninterrupted run which he will get during the Asia Cup.

No other surprises were named from the Pakistan camp. The Asia Cup is due to get underway in Pakistan from June 24. India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong are the other five nations participating in the tournament.

Pakistan list of 20 probables for Asia Cup:
Shoaib Malik (Capt), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Asad Rauf, Yasir Hameed, Bazid Khan, Mansoor Amjad, Naumanullah, Saeed Ajmal