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Malik makes it to Pak Cup squad

Veteran batsman Salim Malik, who found himself at the centre of a match-fixing enquiry, has been picked for Pakistan's World Cup squad.

Malik's name didn't figure in the 19-member provisional squad named earlier, but dismal performances by Pakistan's middle order batsmen during the recent tri-series in India forced the selectors to revert to the experienced Malik, who is second only to current coach Javed Miandad in terms of run aggregate in ODIs.

Malik has joined the Pakistan side in Sharjah, for the three-nation tournament involving India and England besides Pakistan.

Other players recalled to the side are paceman Waqar Younis and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, both of whom failed to find a place in the Pakistan squad for the just concluded Pepsi Cup.

Despite government pressure, however, Pakistan's selection committee refused to reinstate former captain Aamir Sohail. Sohail and Akram have been at loggerheads ever since the former accused Akram of being heavily involved in match-fixing.

The squad: Wasim Akram (captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Wajahatullah Wasti, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmad, Salim Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan (vice-captain), Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmad, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, Azhar Mahmood, Abdur Razzak.

Will they go all the way?

So now you know the team composition. And recent tournaments have given you an idea of their form. So will Pakistan be among the favourites for the World Cup? We await your analysis.