Akhtar named in one-day squad
34-year-old Akhtar has struggled with injuries over the past year
Islamabad: Pakistan have named fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in their 15-man squad for the Asia Cup, which begins this month.
The 34-year-old Akhtar has struggled with injuries over the past year, and last featured in a one-day international for Pakistan when they played Australia in Abu Dhabi in May 2009.
Former captain Shoaib Malek is also in the squad after having a one-year ban for indiscipline during the recent tour of Australia lifted by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan also appointed opening batsman Salman Butt as vice-captain for the Asia Cup and the tour to England.
The 25 year old will deputise for all-rounder Shahid Afridi in the four-nation event in Sri Lanka this month and the England tour which follows that features two tests against Australia and four against England.
"It is a proud moment for me to be given this honour but it is also going to be a challenging task as the team needs me to score a lot of runs," Butt told reporters in Lahore.
The Asia Cup, which is being held in Sri Lanka, starts on June 15.
The squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hassan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malek, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rahman.
Squad
Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt (vice capt), Imran Farhat, Shahzaib Hassan, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malek, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rahman.
