Pakistan cricket selectors have axed middle order batsman Umar Akmal for the three-Test series against Sri Lanka. “Akmal has not been justifying his place in Test cricket,” chief selector Mohsin Khan said, adding he wants to see the batsman learn how to play longer innings in domestic cricket. Akmal had scored just two half-centuries in his previous 12 matches. Fast bowlers Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz were recalled after being rested for the series against Zimbabwe. Former captain Shoaib Malik, who has not played a Test match for over a year, made his way back after leading Sialkot Stallions to the national twenty20 title Sunday. Captain Misbahul Haq and Younis Khan will form the backbone of Pakistan's middle-order batting with Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Malik giving them support. The selectors also retained fast bowler Aizaz Cheema after the paceman claimed eight wickets in his debut Test against Zimbabwe. The Test series begins in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 18 with Dubai and Sharjah hosting the remaining two Test matches. Akmal received some consolation when he was named in Pakistan's squad for this month's Hong Kong Super Sixes tournament. All-rounder Abdul Razzaq will lead the side that also includes fast bowler Sohail Tanvir of the Rawalpindi Rams which lost to Malik in the national Twenty20 final. The 31-year-old will lead a second-string Pakistan team for the Hong Kong event, which will be held from October 28 to 30. Pakistan, which finished runner-up to Australia in the Super Sixes last year, is placed in Group C with South Africa, India and Hong Kong.Australia, England, Bangladesh and Ireland comprise Group B, while an All Star team, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Scotland form Group A. Squad for Test series: Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Abdur Rehman. Squad for Super Sixes: Abdul Razzaq (captain), Umar Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Hammad Azam, Ramiz Raja, Yasir Shah, Sharjeel Khan.
