Shoaib named by Pakistan

Shoaib: Canada-bound

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Shoaib Akhtar has been included in Pakistan's 15-man squad for this week's Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

However, star batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been left out by selectors for the tournament, which also features Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and the host nation.

The inclusion of Shoaib came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) apparently softened its stance in its efforts to recoup a seven million rupees ($US 90,000) fine imposed on the controversial paceman.

The PCB said last month that the 33-year-old, who has not played for Pakistan this year because of injury and discipline problems, would only be allowed to play if he pays the fine.

But chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday: "We have included Akhtar after clearance from the PCB and hope that he delivers the goods in the tournament."

Shoaib, who last played for Pakistan against India in December, was set to return to international cricket for the Champions Trophy prior to its postponement because of security fears.

He received a five-year ban in April after publicly criticising the PCB following his omission from its 15-man contract list.

A PCB appeal committee subsequently reduced the ban to 18 months but also imposed a fine in June.

In July, Shoaib challenged both the ban and fine in Lahore's High court, which suspended the former but upheld the latter.

Passport problem

Yousuf's omission comes on the back of poor form shown in the ongoing domestic T20 event in Lahore.

Nevertheless, PCB chief Shafqat Naghmi said the player had actually been left out because his passport was not returned from the Canadian High Commission.

"Otherwise he would have been in the 15-man squad," Naghmi said.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi is included despite poor form with the bat, while another all-rounder, Fawad Alam, has been named after being left out of the Champions Trophy squad.

Paceman Anwar Ali and opener Shoaib Khan have also been included and could make their debuts at senior level.

The tournament runs from October 10-13 in Toronto.

Butt appointed chairman

Meanwhile, former Test player Ejaz Butt has been appointed chairman of the PCB, the 73-year-old taking over from previous incumbent Nasim Ashraf.

Ashraf resigned on August 18, the same day that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf stood down in order to avoid impeachment.

"We have been verbally informed about the notification and Mr Butt has been appointed new PCB chairman by President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari," Naghmi added.

Butt, who played eight Tests in the 1950s as a wicketkeeper batsman, becomes the 27th chairman of the PCB.

Pakistan squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Salman Butt, Shoaib Khan, Khalid Latif, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Fawad Alam, Anwar Ali, Sohail Khan, Abdur Rauf.