KARACHI, 21 March 2003 — Former captains Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram were among eight senior players axed from the Pakistan squad yesterday for next month’s Sharjah Cup competition following the team’s failure at the World Cup.
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, batsmen Inzamam-ul Haq and Saeed Anwar, all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Azhar Mahmood and off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq also found themselves left on the sidelines.
“It has been a very difficult decision to leave out the maestros but we are looking to the future,” chief selector Aamir Sohail was quoted as saying on BBC Online after the announcement.
“This process may take a few tournaments before we know where we stand. Until we are absolutely sure about the youngsters, we will not close the chapter on the seniors.”
The move follows Pakistan’s appointment of wicketkeeper Rashid Latif as captain, Javed Miandad as coach and Haroon Rasheed as team manager on Wednesday.
The changes end days of speculation the board would reshape the team to make a fresh start after Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super Six stage of the World Cup.
The Pakistan Sharjah squad includes three new players, batsman Mohammad Hafeez, all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and seam bowler Umar Gul, to senior international cricket.
The triangular Sharjah tournament also involving South Africa and Sri Lanka is set to take place between April 1-10.
Pakistan squad: Rashid Latif (captain), Yousuf Youhana (vice captain), Taufeeq Umer, Mohammad Hafeez, Saleem Elahi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Naved Latif, Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Zahid.
