Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka(Squad announced)

Mohammad Yousuf has returned to the Pakistan Test team barely a month after cutting ties with the unofficial ICL, and Abdul Razzaq has also been included in a 15-man squad for the tour to Sri Lanka which starts later this month.

Yousuf's return has been on the cards ever since he pulled out of the ICL and was welcomed back by the PCB; when he does make an appearance it will be his first for Pakistan since last year. "I'm very pleased about it. Playing for Pakistan is the biggest thing in anyone's career," Yousuf told Cricinfo.

Yousuf had signed up with the ICL in 2007 but was lured out of the contract by the PCB administration of the day. However, legal wrangles denied him an IPL contract in 2008 and he rejoined the ICL in November. That virtually ended his career with Pakistan, but at the end of May the ICL released Yousuf from his contract which meant he could return to official cricket.

Yousuf hasn't played a Test for Pakistan since December 2007, a lay-off he admitted might be difficult to battle initially. "It's a difficult question to answer because until you don't play you cannot say, but I will be putting in every effort."

The World Twenty20 win has proved beneficial for some players. Razzaq, who became the first former ICL player to return to international cricket after being banned when he joined Pakistan's Twenty20 squad in England recently, will also have a chance to resurrect his Test and ODI career.

Also in the squad is Mohammad Aamer, the left-arm fast bowler, who was initially included in the squad for the Bangladesh tour which got postponed earlier this year. After a strong showing in his maiden domestic season, taking 56 first-class wickets in ten games for Rawalpindi, he was given a chance at the ICC World Twenty20 and his success has earned him a place in the Test side.

Saeed Ajmal, the offspinner, has been included alongside Danish Kaneria. Ajmal has yet to play Test cricket but was crucial in Pakistan's success in England, with 12 wickets at 13.58. The opener Khurram Manzoor, who has played two Tests, has been recalled after being overlooked for the Bangladesh tour. No back-up wicketkeeper to Kamran Akmal has been named.

The PCB said Shahid Afridi had requested for 15 days' rest and will join the team for the ODIs in Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20. The tour begins with a three-day warm-up match in Colombo on June 29.

Squad: Younis Khan (capt), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rauf, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal.

Where is the warthog?

Is Afridi still retired from test cricket? His record in the longest form of the game is pretty good, and he's clearly Pakistan's talisman.

Henry wrote:Is Afridi still retired from test cricket? His record in the longest form of the game is pretty good, and he's clearly Pakistan's talisman.

I seem to recall he was dropped as opposed to retiring.

He dramatically retired from test cricket for about a week, then reversed his decision, was recalled, had a couple of bad tests, and hasn't been seen since. Sums up Pakistani cricket, really.

Afridi batting at seven and bowling in test cricket would be a major asset for Pakistan, imo.

Henry wrote:He dramatically retired from test cricket for about a week, then reversed his decision, was recalled, had a couple of bad tests, and hasn't been seen since. Sums up Pakistani cricket, really.

Afridi batting at seven and bowling in test cricket would be a major asset for Pakistan, imo.

Definitely a better bowling option than the canary.

PAK will have to get over the euphoria of the T20 win because a win in this series will almost be as big as winning the T20 world cup

Henry wrote:He dramatically retired from test cricket for about a week, then reversed his decision, was recalled, had a couple of bad tests, and hasn't been seen since. Sums up Pakistani cricket, really.

Afridi batting at seven and bowling in test cricket would be a major asset for Pakistan, imo.

he said he needs some time off from the game and was NOT considered for this series.

PlanetPakistan wrote:PAK will have to get over the euphoria of the T20 win because for a win in this series will be almost as big as winning the T20 world cup

PMSL

taipan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:PAK will have to get over the euphoria of the T20 win because for a win in this series will be almost as big as winning the T20 world cup

PMSL

whats so funny?

A test series win nearly as big as the T20WC?

Never

Danish Kaneria selected, drats. Means Essex will have to find another overseas player.

taipan wrote:A test series win nearly as big as the T20WC?

Never

In terms of importance i would say

1- Test series vs AUS in AUS(December)
2- T20 World cup= Series in SL= Champions trophy
3- Test series vs NZ in NZ(November)
4- Any ODI series.

Having L Malinga in the team is a huge boost for SL.


Bowling attack of Malinga, Prasad, Mendis and Murali looks quite solid.

In the batting department i don't like how people couple Mahela and Sangakarra together because IMO Sanga is significantly better batsman than Mahela.

PlanetPakistan wrote:Having L Malinga in the team is a huge boost for SL.


Bowling attack of Malinga, Prasad, Mendis and Murali looks quite solid.

In the batting department i don't like how people couple Mahela and Sangakarra together because IMO Sanga is significantly better batsman than Mahela.

Both are very good and important batsmen for Lanka. Who'll be the openers? And Samarweera's return would further boost their batting. Will Prasanna be the keeper.

Anyone has any idea what Lanka's probable 11 will look like?

hey Chandan Nice to see ya.

It will be a tough series for pakistan and recently won WC might play on there minds and they might not play with same intensity as they did in WC.

The team is not looking that good in fast bowling department i know Gul is there but Ammer needs some experience in tests.

In Spin bowling again Kaneria did nothing extra oridinary in the last few matches he played his performance is never been match winning after 1st few series he played.

Overall i feel Srilanka got better chance than pakistan unless pakistan bats too well.

Nice to see you too Waqas, after such a long time! Where were you and how are you?

I wonder why you're worrying about Pak attack. It is looking fine to me. Aamer seems to be a very promising bowler and playing tests only will add to his experience, isn't it? Gul has been bowling as good as ever and now Razzaq is back with his experience. Pakistan have 2-3 more seamers waiting on the bench.

And I think Ajmal looks to be fine bowler and even though Kaneria is not as impressive, at least the two can pose a threat with leg spin and off spin.

No doubt that SL is a virtual fortress at home, but Pakistan can play gutsy cricket. They have players to do so.

Chandan returns for the birthday wishes.

razzaq is not a test match bowler

gul
aamer

make a good base for an attack. afridi would have been a lot better than kaneria, but he doesnt seem interested in tests. i think pakistan needs to try someone new to have a chance of winning

The One wrote:razzaq is not a test match bowler

gul
aamer

make a good base for an attack. afridi would have been a lot better than kaneria, but he doesnt seem interested in tests. i think pakistan needs to try someone new to have a chance of winning

New leggie you mean?

Faisal and Waqas can tell us which new leggies they have in their domestic cricket and how impressive they are.

Chandan wrote:

PlanetPakistan wrote:Having L Malinga in the team is a huge boost for SL.


Bowling attack of Malinga, Prasad, Mendis and Murali looks quite solid.

In the batting department i don't like how people couple Mahela and Sangakarra together because IMO Sanga is significantly better batsman than Mahela.

Both are very good and important batsmen for Lanka. Who'll be the openers? And Samarweera's return would further boost their batting. Will Prasanna be the keeper.

Anyone has any idea what Lanka's probable 11 will look like?

Chandan is back

Hi Faisal!

The One wrote:razzaq is not a test match bowler

gul
aamer

make a good base for an attack. afridi would have been a lot better than kaneria, but he doesnt seem interested in tests. i think pakistan needs to try someone new to have a chance of winning

yeah the attack looks quite weak/inexperienced.


Aamer is talented but very very young and hasn't played much 1st class cricket let alone test cricket.

warm up match starts in a few minutes.

Is it shown live? It is not on cricinfo.

CI has the scores


Pakistan not doing too well

SLXI 278/3

Umar Gul isn't playing for unknown reason.