Banned pair return for Pakistan

Opener and all-rounder back after two-year absence

Last updated: 22nd July 2009

Recall: Imran Nazir

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Imran Nazir and Rana Naved have been recalled by Pakistan for their upcoming series of one-day international matches against Sri Lanka.

The opening batsman and pace bowler, who have not played for their country since 2007, both had bans lifted last month after they severed ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Nasir Jamshed replaces out-of-form opener Salman Butt in the squad while there is also a place for uncapped 19-year-old batsman Umar Akmal, younger brother of wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

Umar Akmal's call-up comes in recognition of his performances for Pakistan "A" during their recent tour of Australia.

However, Shoaib Akhtar will not play in the five-match series, which starts in Dambulla on July 30, after failing to prove his fitness last week.

The 33-year-old, who missed out on the recent World ICC Twenty20 after he was diagnosed with genital warts, has also been left out of Pakistan's 30-man preliminary squad for this year's Champions Trophy.

Asif in Trophy squad

But another controversial fast bowler, Mohammad Asif, has been included in the latter squad owing to the fact his one-year ban expires before the start of the tournament in South Africa.

The ban was imposed after the 26-year-old tested positive for the steroid nandrolone in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League last year.

Asif was also fined US$12,250 for possessing a small amount of opium in the United Arab Emirates.

With his ban ending on September 22, Asif will be eligible to play in Pakistan's opening match against the West Indies a day later.

The preliminary squad will be trimmed to 15 next month.

Pakistan squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka: Younus Khan (captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Nasir Jamshed, Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Abdul Razzaq, Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Akmal, Rana Naved.

Pakistan preliminary squad for Champions Trophy: Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Khalid Latif, Azhar Ali, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Amin, Umer Akmal, Sheharyar Ghani, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naveed, Yasir Arafat, Fawad Alam, Kamran Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Abdul Rauf, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Talha, Sohail Tanveer, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Hafeez.