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Pakistan name squad for first ODI against Sri Lanka

By IANS,

Karachi : Uncapped youngster Umar Amin was included in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the opening One-day international against Sri Lanka to be played Jan 22.

Umar, a prolific batsman on the domestic circuit, is the only newcomer in the national squad that would be led by all-rounder Shoaib Malik. The squad was finalised by the national selection committee that met in Lahore with chief selector Abdul Qadir.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman, the team is for the first ODI. The squad could be changed for the next two games of the three-match series to be played in Lahore (Jan 24) and Multan (Jan 27).

Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar retained his place after missing all three games of the ODI series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi last November because of injury.

The squad has three more pacers – Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar Anjum while a specialist spinner – Saeed Ajmal – also find a place in it.

Pakistan lined up the series against Sri Lanka after India pulled out of its tour because of strained relations over November’s terror attacks in Mumbai. Sri Lanka will arrive in Karachi on Jan 18 to play three ODIs and will then revisit Pakistan in February to play two Tests.

Pakistan squad:
Shoaib Malik (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Salman Butt
Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (Wicket-keeper), Sohail
Tanvir, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Saeed Ajmal, Khurram
Manzoor, Sohail Khan, Yasir Arafat and Umar Amin.