Pakistan recall Taufeeq for Australia Tests

KARACHI, Oct 19 (AFP): Pakistan recalled experienced opener Taufeeq Umar Saturday for the first Test of the two-match series against Australia starting next week.

The 33-year-old, who played the last of his 43 Tests in Sri Lanka two years ago, is one of the four openers in the 16-man squad with fit-again Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad likely to get into the final eleven for the first Test starting in Dubai from October 22.

Pakistan, who announced a preliminary 19-man squad Wednesday, are in a fix to find a suitable replacement for ace spinner Saeed Ajmal who was last month suspended because of an illegal bowling action.

The 37-year-old spinner's action was reported in the Galle Test in Sri Lanka in Pakistan's last Test series in August this year.

Pakistani selectors have named leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who is yet to play a Test, and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar who made his Test debut last year.

Shah finished with 48 wickets in the last Pakistan season.