21 Jun 2010

Younus left out of Pakistan cricket squad

5:34 am on 21 June 2010

The former captain Younus Khan has been left out of Pakistan's test and one-day cricket squads for the tour of England despite being eligible for international cricket again after having an indefinite ban for ill-discipline overturned.

Pakistan selectors have included several new faces in the test squad with batsmen Umar Amin and Azhar Ali and pace bowlers Wahab Riaz, Tanvir Ahmed and reserve keeper Zulqarnain Haider yet to play tests for Pakistan.

Yasir Hameed, a stylish batsman who has not played since late 2007, and pace bowler Umar Gul, now recovered from a knee injury, were recalled.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, making a comeback to the national team in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka after a 14-month layoff, was included only in the limited overs side.

32-year-old Younis, who has appeared in 63 tests and 202 ODIs and was captain until last year, has been engaged in a tussle with the Pakistan Cricket Board since he was banned in March for indiscipline on the Australian tour early this year.

He appealed against the decision and after a bitter war of words between his lawyer and the board the appeals commissioner overturned his ban earlier this month.

Pakistan play two tests and two T20 internationals against Australia and four tests, five one-day internationals and two T20 matches against England on the tour starting next week.