Pakistan recalls Salman Butt in World Cup reserves

KARACHI, Feb 15 (Reuters) Pakistan named discarded opener Salman Butt today among five reserve players for next month's World Cup in the West Indies.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said pacers Mohammad Sami and Shahid Nazir, allrounder Azhar Mahmood, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider and Butt had been placed on the reserves list.

''If we require any replacements in the selected 15-member squad they will come from these five players, not the remaining players on the shortlist we have submitted to the International Cricket Council,'' said director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf.

All participating countries in the World Cup were required to submit names of 30 players before announcing their final squads and reserves.

Pakistan have fitness problems with fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif in their World Cup squad announced this week.

The Pakistan team returns tomorrow from South Africa after losing the test and one-day series with all the players due to undergo dope tests the same day.

''Shoaib (Akhtar) is also returning from London tomorrow. He will also have the dope tests the same day,'' said Altaf.

Akhtar had gone to London to consult specialists about a knee problem which threatens to rule him out of the World Cup.

Reuters PDS GC1919