KARACHI — Pakistan said Sunday it would add pacemen Tanveer Ahmed and Rahat Ali to its squad for the three-Test series in South Africa starting next week. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the team, currently playing a four-day tour opener in East London before the first Test in Johannesburg, sent a request for the extra bowlers. “After considering the conditions and duration of the tour in South Africa the Pakistan team management has requested the national selection committee to send two fast bowlers,” said a PCB press release, adding that they would reach South Africa before the start of the first Test Friday. Ahmed, 34, played the last of his four Tests in the West Indies in 2011 and has also played two one-day matches, while 24-year-old left-armer Ali played one limited-overs international in Sri Lanka last year before he was discarded. The team already includes pace bowlers Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan and uncapped Ehsan Adil. Pakistan will also play two Twenty20s and five One-Day Internationals on the tour. A squad for the limited overs matches will be announced next month. Sarfraz, Gul spur Pakistani revival Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and opening bowler Umar Gul spurred a strong showing by the touring Pakistani team on the second day of their four-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Buffalo Park Saturday. Ahmed hit 93 and Gul made 49 as the tourists recovered from their overnight 178 for six to reach 329 all out. Gul then took two early wickets to put the Invitation XI under pressure. It reached 213 for seven at the close in its only warm-up match before the first Test. Ahmed, 25, a former Under-19 World Cup winning captain whose only Test appearance was against Australia in Hobart last year, added 81 for the seventh wicket with Gul. Although Saeed Ajmal fell almost immediately to the second new ball, Ahmed had partnerships of 45 for the ninth wicket with Junaid Khan and 49 for the last wicket with Mohammad Irfan before he was last man out, caught on the boundary off Harmer. He faced 161 balls and hit 12 fours and a six. Off-spinner Harmer finished with five for 88. The left-handed Vaughn van Jaarsveld hit an aggressive 92 for the Invitation XI before he was leg before wicket to off-spinner Saeed Ajmal. Ryder to miss England series New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder has ruled himself out of the home series against England next month as he continues his recovery from an alcohol problem and other personal issues. The 28-year-old left-hander has not played international cricket for almost a year and announced in June he was taking an indefinite break.— Agencies
