Saqlain and Afridi recalled to one-day

Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq have been recalled for Pakistan's first two one-day internationals against India. Iftikhar Anjum, an allrounder, was the only new player announced in the squad for the matches in Karachi and Rawalpindi, the BBC reported.

"The team is well balanced in all departments of the game," Wasim Bari, the chief selector, commented on the composition of the squad.

Saqlain last played against South Africa at home in October. He returned to the side in place of Danish Kaneria based primarily on his experience and good record against India. "Saqlain can be handy in both types of cricket," Bari said. "He also has a good record against India."

Shahid Afridi was named in the Pakistan team after a year in the wilderness, following the team's poor performance in the World Cup in South Africa, where they failed to clear the first round. Bari justified Afridi's inclusion, saying that his utility as a bowler could come in handy.

"We feel that we needed more all-rounders to cope against the India batting powerhouse," Bari said, "and that is why we have included three allrounders with Afridi top of the list."

Squad Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan (wk), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Younis Khan, Shabbir Ahmed, Iftikhar Anjum, Naveed-ul-Hasan, Saqlain Mushtaq


Saqlain Mushtaq: A good record against India held him in good stead