Pakistan have left out Shoaib Akhtar from their 17-man squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, although the door remains open for the fast bowler to return for the ODI matches later in the tour. Mohammad Asif, who along with Shoaib only recently returned to full-time cricket following the overturning of a drugs ban, has been included in the squad.
Iqbal Qasim, a member of the selection committee, told Cricinfo, "Shoaib has been left out because we felt his full match fitness hasn't yet returned after the break he has had from the game." There had been considerable speculation in the run-up to today's announcement that Shoaib would miss out, selectors and team management apparently not happy with his fitness levels.
But Qasim said the door remains open for a call-up as the series progresses. "For longer matches, we think the fitness isn't ready yet. But there will be first-class matches in Pakistan that he can play in and work back towards maximum fitness and hopefully make it in time for the ODIs."
Shabbir Ahmed, who has only recently returned from an ICC-imposed ban for a suspect action, was also not selected. "He has only just returned to cricket and we have pace bowlers like Gul and Nazir who have done really well recently for us, so there wasn't really any place for him right now. He will play more first-class matches and we'll take it from there," said Qasim.
Mohammad Sami emerges as the winner from the travails of Shoaib and Shabbir, but it is the return of Asif that really gives the bowling its sting. Qasim said, "Even now, I think our bowling is stronger than India's pace attack and they have done really well in South Africa. So I think the bowlers we have selected should do well there."
The other selection of note is that of Zulqernain Haider, the 20-year-old from Lahore, as reserve wicketkeeper behind Kamran Akmal. Akmal's form behind the stumps and with the bat has been poor for much of the year and the idea of taking a reserve had been publicly mooted on several occasions, including once by Bob Woolmer.
"We've picked Zulqarnain as cover for Akmal," said Qasim. He is still our first-choice but just to ease a little pressure off of him and also in case he picks up an injury, we felt we should have some cover. This is an important season beginning now, with the World Cup, and we want to make sure our best players are available for that."
Haider was wicketkeeper in the Pakistan U-19 team that won the World Cup in Dhaka in 2004 and has appeared for the Pakistan 'A' and Academy sides a number of times since. He has been in the national squad before, picked for the 2004 home series against Sri Lanka, as understudy to Moin Khan. Incidentally, in the second Test of that series, Akmal was chosen ahead of Haider as replacement for Moin, since when he has established himself as the number one choice.
With Abdul Razzaq injured and Shahid Afridi out of form, the number six spot becomes the domain once again of a specialist batsman, as opposed to all-rounders. Faisal Iqbal will be in contention, but so too will Asim Kamal, the doughty left-hander, who is back, ready to tour the country against whom he made such an impressive Test debut in 2003. "As a left-hander, in the middle order, he provides us some variety as well as stability.
"Overall, I think this is the most balanced squad we could have picked. These guys, if they play to their potential, can do well in South Africa," Qasim said.
Squad for South Africa: Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Shoaib Malik, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Asim Kamal, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal (wk), Zulqernain Haider (wk), Shahid Nazir, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan
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Yousuf to miss first Test
Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan's record-breaking middle order lynchpin, is a definite non-starter for the first Test against South Africa at Centurion Park, due to begin from January 11, .and may end up missing the entire Test series
Yousuf was due to leave for South Africa today, joining his team-mates late after returning from performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia, but is unable to do so now as his wife is due to give birth
South Africa fought back valiantly in the afternoon with three quick wickets as Pakistan wasted a promising position on the first day at Centurion. And despite Inzamam-ul-Haq going to stumps unbeaten on 35, Pakistan have a lot of hard work ahead of them.
At tea Pakistan were 160 for 2, with Younis Khan and Yasir Hameed seemingly cruising; South Africa went wicketless in the afternoon session, with their bowlers lacking the venom which had brought them two early wickets in the morning session. This isn't to discredit the two Pakistan batsmen who showed impressive resolve and application on a pitch which was still offering considerable seam movement. However, whereas in the morning session South Africa's attack bowled short-of-a-length, they dropped it too short in the afternoon and allowed the batsmen onto the back foot.
Younis is Pakistan's street-fighter; a tough, gritty character who thrives on a battle. And, coming to the wicket at 50 for 2, he was in his element. Defending solidly, pouncing on anything short and wide and admittedly riding his luck, he produced several delightful cuts past point and worked singles through midwicket. At the other end Yasir was no less industrious, although lacked Younis's steadfast defence and, on several occasions, was beaten by Shaun Pollock's perfect away-swingers. Batting was tough work.
But it was the introduction of Jacques Kallis which really relieved the pressure on the batsmen. Neither bowling the right line or length, and lacking pace on a slowish pitch, he was worked through midwicket for ease - particularly by Younis - and although Paul Harris bowled tidily at the other end, the combination never threatened to make the breakthrough. Yasir produced the shot of the day: a lazy, elegant, lofted flick off his legs for six over midwicket to bring up his fifty. It was a rare stroke of flamboyance on a pitch which required diligence, not dramatic strokeplay.
South Africa went to tea with hunched shoulders and bruised egos but, 15 minutes later, they returned a renewed side. Pakistan's calm tenacity was replaced by an injection of madness as Younis, so careful before the interval, eyed a Pollock bouncer but mis-hooked it straight to fine-leg. With Younis back in the pavilion, Yasir contracted the same hook-happy disease against Andre Nel in what was clearly a planned attack from the South Africa bowlers.
Off successive deliveries Yasir attempted to hook Nel, but could only top-edge them: once just short of deep midwicket, and the other just over short midwicket's head. Both were unnecessary shots, both fortunately evading the fielder. Suddenly, South Africa's bowlers looked rejuvenated and refreshed - Nel steaming in from one end, Pollock metronomically accurate from the other.
Yasir's newfound liking for the hook continued unabated, but his luck ran out and he top-edged one straight to Makhaya Ntini at deep square leg. It was a depressing end to what had been a fighting knock and, all of a sudden, Pakistan had two new batsmen at the crease. Faisal Iqbal didn't last long, though, edging Kallis through to Mark Boucher who took an easy catch - his 367th in Tests - passing Ian Healy's record of 366 catches in Tests. Pakistan had lost 3 for 21 in 10 overs.
Inzamam, perhaps inevitably, steadied the ship from sinking altogether with a typically counterattacking innings towards the close of play. But with the second new ball still only five overs old, Inzamam holds the key to both sides fortunes tomorrow.
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1st over
on 2nd Day
84.6 Nel to Kamran Akmal, no run 84.5 Nel to Kamran Akmal, FOUR, short and wide outside the off stumps, cut over gully 84.4 Nel to Kamran Akmal, no run, worked away towards gully 84.3 Nel to Kamran Akmal, no run 84.2 Nel to Kamran Akmal, no run, good length delivery outside the off stump, no shot offered 84.1 Nel to Inzamam-ul-Haq, 1 run, on the pads, turned away towards square leg 84.1 Nel to Inzamam-ul-Haq, 1 wide, short and wide, down the leg side, Inzi leaves it through to the keeper
asim kamal 
gr8 test player...glad to see him back 
