Shoaib left out of squad, Moin returns

Moin Khan: The comeback king does it again © Getty Images

Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami have been left out on fitness grounds for Pakistan's tour of West Indies next month. In a surprise move, the selectors decided to bring back Moin Khan, the former captain and wicketkeeper, while Shabbir Ahmed also found a place despite his lacklustre performances in the Twenty20 domestic competition.

Shoaib Malik was also picked despite the latest controversy surrounding his forfeiture of domestic Twenty20 game. The squad will be officially announced on Monday after being ratified by the ad hoc committee.

Despite an impressive performance in the Twenty20 competition, Shoaib couldn't find a place in the 17-man squad. The PCB's panel of doctors, in a report submitted to the selectors, felt that Shoaib required more time to his regain fitness. The report added that Shoaib needed to reduce his weight considerably to protect himself from further injuries.

Sami underwent surgery for the removal of a corn on his right heel earlier this week and the selectors felt he needed more time to recover. However, he is likely to join the team for the first Test, beginning in Barbados on May 26.

Moin, who last represented Pakistan in October last year against Sri Lanka, was rewarded for his fantastic domestic performances - an aggregate of 730 runs, including three centuries. He also smashed two hundreds in the Twenty20 tournament and was picked as the second wicketkeeper behind Kamran Akmal.

Mohammad Hafeez, who took part in the one-day series against India, was replaced by Yasir Hameed. However, Umar Gul wasn't picked in the squad despite stating that he was completely fit.

The squad has been selected for the three one-day matches to be played at St Vincent (on May 18) and St Lucia, a double-header on May 21 and 22. If required, changes would be made in the team for the two Tests to be played at Barbados and Jamaica.

Likely squad
Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan (wk), Kamran Akmal (wk), Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shabbir Ahmed, Shahid Nazir, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Arshad Khan, Danish Kaneria.