Shoaib left out of squad for SA Tests

Pakistani selectors have left out fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed from a 17-member squad announced on Friday for the three-Test series in South Africa.

National selector Ehteshamuddin said Akhtar and Shabbir were not considered because they needed more time to work on their fitness.

"They will be considered for the five-match one-day series in South Africa. We have advised them to go and play some more domestic games and get their rhythm and match fitness back," Ehteshamuddin told a news conference in Lahore.

The selectors, however, picked pacer Mohammad Asif who with Akhtar was earlier this month cleared of a doping offence and had a ban set aside by an appeals tribunal.

Shabbir completed a 12-months ban on December 19 after he was suspended for having an illegal bowling action.

The selectors have picked five specialist pacers and only one spinner in Danish Kaneria. They recalled middle order batsman Asim Kamal who last played in a test in November last year against England.

The first Test starts in Johannesburg on January 11.

Squad: Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Danish Kaneria, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Nazir, Rana Naved, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Zulqarnain Haider.