Ex-Pak cricketers hail Akhtar, Malik's inclusion in Asia Cup squad

Lahore, Jun.4 (ANI): Former cricketers, including incumbent coach Waqar Younis, have backed the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to include fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in the 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Waqar welcomed Akhtar's inclusion and said the controversial speedster would be used in short spells during the June 15-24 quadrangular one-day tournament.

Former chief selector Salahuddin Sallu described the team as a 'balanced' squad, saying that the inclusion of both Akhtar and Shoiab Malik would enhance the prospects of the team in the coming assignment.

Another former chief selector Abdul Qadir also welcomed both Malik and Akhtar's inclusion, The News reports.

Qadir, however, expressed surprise over the PCB's decision to select four specialist openers in the squad.

Openers Imran Farhat and Shahzaib Hasan have also made their comeback in the national squad.

The team:

Shahid Afridi, Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal ,Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Amin, Asad Shafique, Shahzaib Hasan, Abdul Rehman, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, and Saeed Ajmal. (ANI)