Pakistan cricket selectors Monday included five fast bowlers in a 16-man squad to take part in next week's one-day tri-series in Bangladesh. Fit-again Mohammad Asif leads the strong pace attack, which also includes Umar Gul, Sohail Tanveer, Rao Iftikhar and rookie left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz. But suspended paceman Shoaib Akhtar was not considered. “Akhtar was not considered as he was suspended and the team is a balanced one which we hope can do well in the tri-series,” said chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed. The squad for the Asia Cup, which Pakistan will host from June 24 to July 6, will be announced later, Ahmed said. The 25-year-old Asif suffered a hand injury while playing in a domestic cricket tournament in India but has since recovered well for Pakistan's hectic season ahead. He has played in only four one-day matches for Pakistan this year after undergoing elbow surgery in Australia late last year. The 32-year-old Akhtar was banned for five years on charges of indiscipline in April this year – a ban suspended for one month to allow him to feature in the Indian event. His appeal against the ban will resume next week. The tri-series, also featuring India, will be held in Dhaka from June 8-14, with each side playing the other once in a league before the June 14 final. Pakistan will play Bangladesh in the opening match on June 8 and then face archrival India two days later. India meets Bangladesh on June 12. Squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Asif, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan, Naumanullah Khan. Younis joins South Australia Pakistan Test batsman Younis Khan has signed with South Australia as its marquee player for part of the 2008-09 Australian cricket season, the South Australian Cricket Association said Monday. The 30-year-old right-hander, who has played 58 Tests for Pakistan, is expected to arrive in time for the start of the Australian domestic season in October. Under the terms of his contract Younis will play with South Australia until year-end and then possibly return to South Australia for the finals of the domestic competitions, if required, SACA officials said. Officials said his commitments with South Australia will not impinge on his playing commitments with Pakistan.
