Akhtar, Malik included in Pak team for Asia Cup
By ANIThursday, June 3, 2010
Lahore, June 3(ANI): Pakistan has included fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Shoaib Malik in its 15-man squad for the Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka from June 15.
The duo was found fit for the four-nation tournament after selectors and top Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials ordered carrying out medical checks on them.
“Both Akhtar and Malik passed fitness tests and hence were included in the squad and it’s a balanced squad,” The Dawn quoted Ijaz Butt, PCB Chairman, as saying.
Akhtar has not played for Pakistan since May last year due to a knee injury, but has been in good form during a recent domestic one-day tournament, while Malik had a one-year ban lifted last week clearing his return to international cricket.
Pakistan will face hosts and defending champions Sri Lanka on June 15 before taking on arch-rivals India on June 19 and Bangladesh on June 21.
The final will be held on June 24.
Squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Salman Butt (vice captain), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hasan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, mar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman. (ANI)
