Pakistan pick Misbah
for Champions Trophy

Pakistan have drafted rookie batman Misbah-ul Haq into its 14-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, following impressive performances during the recent tri-series in Kenya.

Misbah will replace all-rounder Azhar Masood. The squad otherwise is unchanged despite some disappointing performances by the team in recent triangular tournaments in Morocco and Kenya.

"After a round of good performances in the Nairobi tournament, we thought he deserved a place in the Champions Trophy team," chief selector Wasim Bari said.

"Azhar had not been in his prime form and is also struggling with his fitness so we have given him time to rest."

Misbah was drafted into the side in Nairobi when key batsmen Inzamamul Haq and Yousaf Youhana fell victim to injuries. He scored 50, 39 and 50 runs in three matches.

"Misbah, we feel, is a good find which is why he has been picked up as a reserve player in the touring squad in the first place," Bari explained.

Pakistan play Sri Lanka in the first match of the 12-nation tournament, on Thursday.

The Pakistan squad:
Waqar Younis (captain), Inzamam-ul Haq (vice-captain), Abdul Razzak, Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul Haq, Muhammad Sami, Rashid Latif, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Wasim Akram, Younis Khan and Yousaf Youhana.

Mail Cricket Editor