Uncapped wicketkeeper batsman Adnan Akmal will replace Zulqarnain Haider, who deserted his team midway through a series after receiving threats from bookies, in the Pakistan squad for the two Tests against South Africa in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board named Adnan, younger brother of Kamran and Umar Akmal, as Zulqarnain's replacement while Muhammad Hafeez will take the place of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria in the squad.
"The replacements have been named by the selectors after consultations with the team management and approval by the board Chairman (Ejaz Butt)," a PCB spokesman said.
Zulqarnain created a flutter on Monday by mysteriously disappearing from his hotel in Dubai on the day of the fifth and final one-dayer against South Africa which Pakistan lost to go down 2-3 in the series.
Zulqarnain's replacement Adnan is yet to represent the senior national team and will be the third of the Akmal brothers to play for Pakistan Hafeez, meanwhile, has been in fine form in the just-concluded ODI series.
Incidentally, Kaneria was stopped from flying to Dubai to join the Test squad last week by the PCB even as the leg-spinner said that so far he had not been informed about the reasons behind the decision.
{{/usCountry}}Incidentally, Kaneria was stopped from flying to Dubai to join the Test squad last week by the PCB even as the leg-spinner said that so far he had not been informed about the reasons behind the decision.
{{/usCountry}}"I have tried to find out from the PCB why I can't join the team but so far they have not told me anything," Kaneria added. But PCB, on its part, said that it had not cleared Kaneria to join the team.