Karachi, Jan 5 (IANS) Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal is rejoicing his return to national duty a day after he was picked in Pakistan’s 30-man preliminary squad for 2011 World Cup cricket.
But there is no such celebration for former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who has been left out by national selectors after failing to get ‘clearance’ for Pakistan duty.
‘I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they have included me in the preliminary squad,’ said the 28-year-old Akmal.
Akmal’s inclusion in the squad was cleared by Pakistan Cricket Board’s integrity committee.
The committee twice deferred announcing the squad as they sought clearance from the PCB on players who were reportedly under suspicion of match-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England last year.
‘We are satisfied that we have selected the best squad from amongst the available players,’ said Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan.
‘I request the whole nation to back the selected players who need all the encouragement to win the World Cup,’ said Khan, a former Pakistan opener.
Experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf was also recalled among the probables after being left out of the Test series against New Zealand because of fitness problems. Senior all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has also been recalled.
However, the selectors dropped middle-order batsman Fawad Alam because of his indifferent form.
Pakistan’s World Cup 2011 preliminary squad: Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umer, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Naved Yasin, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Salman Ahmed, Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanveer, Tanveer Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheama, Asad Ali.
