ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has included Shahid Afridi and left out former captain Shoaib Malik in its squad for a limited-overs series against South Africa while also delaying announcing who will be captain. Pakistan will play two Twenty20 matches and five One-Day Internationals against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 26. Wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal, who suffered abdominal problems before being hospitalized Wednesday, will have to pass a fitness test to get into the team. Pakistan will play two Twenty20, five one-day and two Tests in the series to be hosted by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. A Test squad will be announced later. Pakistan will have to find a replacement for Test captain Salman Butt who is suspended over charges of violating ICC (International Cricket Council) code of conduct. Butt, along with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were alleged to have taken money to deliberately bowl no-balls during Pakistan's Lord's Test against England in August. All three were not included in the team. Veteran batsman Misbahul Haq makes a return to the squad. All-rounder Shahid Afridi led Pakistan team in the one-day series against England which ended in team's 2-3 defeat last month. Former captain Younis Khan's name was also not considered. Afridi led Pakistan as it lost 3-2 in a ODI series and both Twenty20 matches on a scandal-plagued tour of England. Intikhab Alam has replaced Yawar Saeed as manager. “Intikhab Alam has been appointed manager only for the South Africa series,” PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar told Reuters. “The board will take decisions on future series later on.” Alam, who was coach of the national team until early this year, replaces Saeed who stepped down as manager after the controversial England tour. Alam was coach between October 2008 to the shambolic tour to Australia early this year after which he was replaced as coach by Waqar Younis. Squad: Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Tanveer Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider.
