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Youhana back in Pakistan team

ISLAMABAD Sept. 9. Pakistan has recalled middle-order batsman Yousuf Youhana and retained Misbah-ul-Haq for the ICC Champions Trophy starting in Sri Lanka next week.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board press release, Youhana has recovered from a shoulder injury while Misbah, 28, takes the place of allrounder Azhar Mahmood after scores of 50 not out, 39 and 50 in an otherwise poor display by Pakistan in the triangular series in Kenya.

``The Pakistan Cricket Board is concerned over the performance of the team and the boys need to pull up their socks in the ICC event and in the series against Australia,'' The Nation quoted Chishty Mujahid, PCB director, as saying.

Pakistan begins a three-Test series against Australia in Colombo on October 3. The series was shifted to neutral venues due to security fears in Pakistan.

The second Test will be played in Sharjah from October 11-15 and the third, also in Sharjah, from October 19-23.

``Youhana was declared fit by the doctors while Misbah performed well in Kenya and deserves a place in the 14-man squad,'' Chishty Mujahid said.

``I have been cleared by the doctors and the cricket board to fly to Colombo on Sunday to join the team,'' Youhana told the media after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The 28-year-old was sent home last month from the triangular tournament in Kenya on disciplinary grounds.

But the Pakistan board found that he had been struggling with the shoulder injury and that had prompted an argument with captain Waqar Younis in the nets.

Youhana said: ``I am over that nightmare period now. I have paid 10 visits to the doctor to get treatment for my shoulder injury and I have recovered well now.''

Youhana said: ``It's been a testing time for everyone of us. But I am confident that I can contribute to the team and we will get back into form in the Champions Trophy.''

The team: Waqar Younis (capt.), Inzamam-ul-Haq (vice-capt.), Saeed Anwar, Wasim Akram, Yousuf Youhana, Rashid Latif, Abdur Razzaq, Younis Khan, Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Sami. Manager: Yawar Saeed; Coach: Mudassar Nazar; Physio: Dennis Waight; Team doctor: Dr. Riaz Ahmed. — UNI

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