Akram not certain choice, says captain

Wasim Akram has no guarantee of a place in Pakistan's team for next month's opening test against England, his captain and former new ball partner Waqar Younis said on Saturday.

"Wasim is a great bowler whose achievements are outstanding. But at the moment, I cannot assure him a place in the first test line-up," Younis told Reuters.

Paceman Akram, who has 409 test and 440 one-day wickets, had been named in a 17-strong Pakistan squad.

Pakistan media reported that Younis had opposed Akram's selection all week, delaying the announcement of the squad, initially scheduled to be named five days ago.

Cricket observers said that the relationship between the two became strained in the 1999 World Cap. They added that on the subsequent tour to Australia Akram did not bowl Younis in the second test in Hobart, when Pakistan were defending more than 350 runs. Pakistan lost by four wickets.

"He (Akram) has to prove his fitness and form in the county matches before he is considered for selection. That is the criterion for everyone," the Pakistan captain said.

If all goes well prior to the first test, I would like to play with Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Abdur Razzaq and Saqlain Mushtaq. But that will largely depend on the weather and pitch condition," Younis said.

DELIGHTED
Akram, in his initial reaction, said he was delighted to be included in the squad.

"My 35th birthday will now be special," he said. Akram will turn 35 during the penultimate day of the second test at Old Trafford, his adopted Lancashire county home ground, on June 3.

Younis, who has taken 319 wickets in 71 tests, admitted that there were question marks over the fitness of controversial fast bowler Akhtar.

"He will be played in selected matches and will be allowed proper time to get into his stride."

Akhtar has not played competitive cricket since limping off with a hamstring injury in the last one-day international against New Zealand at Dunedin on February 28.

Pakistan have three county games before the first test begins at Lord's on May 17.

"As regards his bowling action, we have Daryl Foster who is the bowling coach and under whose supervision he remodelled his action."

Akhtar has just been cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board following concerns over the legality of his action on the basis of a "final report" from the University of Western Australia.

SENSATION
Pakistan's latest speed sensation Mohammad Sami will also be an attraction. The 20-year-old regularly clocked 142 kph in two test appearances against New Zealand last month before missing the third test at Hamilton because of a shin injury.

Sami also played in a four-dayer, when England toured Pakistan last year but failed to impress. It was later disclosed that he was carrying a back injury.

"Sami and Shoaib are the next generation of fast bowlers. While history will remember me and Wasim as the two Ws, these two (Sami and Shoaib) will be known as the two Ss," Younis said.

Pakistan strengthened their brittle top order by recalling opener Mohammad Wasim after 13 months in the wilderness.

Wasim, who has played in 18 tests since making his debut in 1996 against New Zealand, will be one of the three openers besides experienced Saeed Anwar and 19-year-old Imran Farhat.

"Our real problem in recent times has been a solid opening pair, otherwise the middle-order is experienced enough to cope with any situation under any conditions," Younis said of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana and teenager Faisal Iqbal.

Saqlain Mushtaq, whose mystery deliveries baffle the world's best batsmen, and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will shoulder the spin responsibilities.

Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood will contest the vacant all-rounder's place.

Younis warned Nasser Hussain's men to be wary of his team.

"We will be coming to England with the aim to avenge last year's series loss. It has been a hard pill to swallow for everyone (in Pakistan) but we are determined to settle the score next month."

England defeated Pakistan by six wickets in near darkness at Karachi to win their first series in Pakistan since 1961-62.

"This will be my last tour to England as a professional cricketer and a series win will be a perfect icing on the cake of my career," Younis said.

Pakistan last lost a series in England in 1982 but won in 1986, 1992 and 1996.

Squad:
Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-captain), Saeed Anwar, Salim Elahi, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Wasim, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Rashid Latif (wicketkeeper), Azhar Mahmood, Abdur Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed.

Mail Cricket Editor