Imran Farhat

Lahore: “The selectors have picked a good squad... It’s balanced and, as captain, I couldn’t have asked for more,” is how Inzamam-ul Haq reacted to the naming of Pakistan’s XV for the first Test against India.

It’s possible Wasim Bari and Co. would have selected one less, but Imran Farhat had to be rewarded for a century in the tour opener. According to The Telegraph’s sources, though, Shoaib Malik remains the favourite to open with Salman Butt.

Farhat wasn’t in the probables’ list but, as reported in these columns, nothing prevented the selectors from recalling him. His selection, therefore, hasn’t come out of the blue. Just as there’s no surprise that Asim Kamal, Umar Gul and Rifatullah didn’t make it.

Typhoid ruled out Yasir Hameed. He’s expected to make a quick comeback.

Apart from allrounder Abdul Razzaq, the squad features four specialist new ball bowlers: Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammed Sami, Rana Naved-ul Hasan and Mohammed Asif. Despite receiving tips from Imran Khan, the experienced Sami is under pressure from Asif.

Meanwhile, allrounder Azhar Mehmood joined the nets session on Monday. His last Test appearance was as far back as 2001, but the “desire” to be with “apne players” drew him to the Gaddafi.

“The current team is doing very well, but I haven’t given up... I’m hopeful of getting recalled... Today, I’m waiting for one chance... I’ve played in the ODIs till a year ago, but even in the shorter version, I would be in and out... Bus ek chance chahiye,” he said, speaking exclusively.

Mehmood, by the way, has consistently been doing well for Surrey.