Wasim to return home after 16-ball tour

Veteran Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram has been ruled out of the one-day series against Bangladesh after bowling just 16 deliveries all tour.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis broke the news on the eve of the three-match one-day international series.

"Wasim will fly back to Pakistan on Tuesday for rest ahead of the scheduled series against West Indies in Sharjah later this month," Waqar said.

The 35-year-old managed just 2.4 overs on the first day of the first Test and did not even get a bat before he pulled up.

Pace bowler Mohammad Sami, due to return home after the Test series which Pakistan won comprehensively 2-0, is set to remain with the squad as a replacement. Waqar said the decision would be confirmed later on Monday.

Pakistan are massive favourites going into the first one-dayer in Chittagong on Tuesday.

Although Bangladesh beat them in the 1999 World Cup -- in perhaps one of the greatest shocks in the history of one-day cricket and which is currently being investigated for possible match-fixing -- Pakistan put the record straight in their last meeting.

They won that game in June 2000 by 233 runs, at the time the heaviest runs defeat in one-day international history.

Waqar, though, added: "One-dayers are always anybody's game."

Bangladesh have dropped spinner Fahim Muntasir, former captain Aminul Islam from their one-day squad while leading batsman Habibul Bashar is injured.

"We are looking for a 200 plus score if we bat first," Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mashud said.

The second and third matches will be played in Dhaka, on January 24 and 25.

Mail Cricket Editor