Younis Khan opts out of Bangladesh series

Younis Khan has opted out of Pakistan's forthcoming series against Bangladesh, because he wants to spend more time with his family. The first Test takes place at Karachi between August 20 and 24, while the second starts three days later at Peshawar.

"Younis Khan requested the PCB Chairman that he may be allowed to skip the first two Tests against Bangladesh because of family commitment," said a PCB spokesman "His request has been accepted by the PCB Chairman."

The spokesman added that the PCB sought the availability of 36 cricketers for the forthcoming season. "All the players have made themselves available for the forthcoming domestic international commitments. But that doesn't mean that those 36 players will be invited for the training camp. It is a routine exercise and the impression given in a section of the press that the selectors have called those 36 players to attend a training camp is incorrect."

The PCB spokesman refused to reveal the names of 36 players who have been asked to make themselves available, although Saqlain Mushtaq, who had initially withdrawn his services, now wants to be taken into consideration.

"The team selected for the first Test will leave for Karachi on the evening of August 16 and train there for the next couple of days to acclimatise itself with the conditions," said the spokesman. "The selectors had wanted to have the camp at Karachi but had to be content with Lahore because of this week's heavy rain."

There is more confusion in the Pakistani ranks, with the discovery - through media reports -that Mohammad Sami is available for the third Test, as well as the five one-day internationals. "The PCB policy is very clear. He has to undergo fitness tests and has to be cleared by the PCB panel of doctors before he is considered for selection."

Sami suffered an ankle injury while playing for Kent in the English County Championship. The selectors are now contemplating including Shoaib Akhtar, who was last month allowed to skip the series against Bangladesh.

"In the absence of Sami, the selectors believe a strike bowler would be required," the spokesman said. "And for that, the PCB Cricket Operations department was contacting Durham's management to seek Shoaib's fitness and availability."