27 Dec 2011

Riaz returns to Pakistan Test squad after controversy

1:00 pm on 27 December 2011

Pakistan's left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz, whose name was mentioned in court during the cricket spot-fixing trial in London, was recalled to the Test squad for the series against England.

Chief selector Mohammad Illyas says Wahab, who had been left out of the team for several months, was considered for the Test series that starts next month in neutral UAE after the Pakistan board gave clearance.

Wahab had been included in the squad for the Sri Lanka series in October but was sent home after an undercover reporter told the jury at Southwark Crown Court in London that agent Mazhar Majeed had told him he had several cricketers working for him and mentioned Wahab's name.

Fellow fast bowler Junaid Khan, who was declared fit by the board's medical panel, and batsman Umar Akmal have also returned to the squad to face England but former captain Shoaib Malik was axed after a poor run of form against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Paceman Mohammad Talha, who has played just one Test in 2009 against Sri Lanka at Lahore, has also been included.

Pakistan, who are unable to host a home series for security reasons, will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three T20 matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from January the 17th.