LAHORE, Pakistan, 15 October 2003 — Former captain and wicketkeeper Moin Khan has been recalled to the Pakistan squad for the first Test against South Africa after more than two-and-a-half years on the sidelines.
The 32-year-old Moin, whose career appeared to be over, last played as captain on the tour of New Zealand in early 2001 before he made way for his long-time rival Rashid Latif.
“It’s nice to be back in Pakistan team and I was desperate to play international cricket,” Moin told AFP.
“I never lost heart that I would not play for Pakistan again and I will do my best for my country.”
Moin has played 63 Tests and 190 One-Day Internationals.
Latif resigned as Pakistan captain last month shortly after being banned for five one-dayers for claiming a catch which he dropped against Bangladesh. Latif, however, has gone back on his initial decision to retire.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also announced yesterday that Yousuf Youhana would lead the side in the first Test in Lahore starting tomorrow.
Youhana passed a last-minute fitness test after injuring his foot, the PCB said.
“Yousuf Youhana regained fitness and he is appointed captain after Inzamam was ruled out,” PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan said in a statement.
“We had to take into account the number of injuries to some key players and have selected the best possible team,” said chief selector Aamir Sohail.
Pakistan have axed batsman Younis Khan, off spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who all played in the one-dayers against South Africa, from the 16-man squad. The squad includes one uncapped player, left-handed middle order batsman Asim Kamal from Karachi, while opener Taufiq Umar is after a knee injury.
Squad: Taufiq Umar, Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed, Yousuf Youhana (capt), Asim Kamal, Moin Khan, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Shabbir Ahmed, Salman Butt, Mushtaq Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq.
