Pakistan unveil new look

Shoaib Malik will lead Pakistan for the first time © Getty Images

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Uncapped duo Fawad Alam and Najaf Shah are the new faces in the Pakistan squad for the three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi later this month.

The 16-man party sees a host of changes from the team knocked out in the group stages of the World Cup, with Mohammad Asif returning as vice-captain.

Retired Inzamam-ul-Haq leads an absentee list including Younus Khan - who chose to remain with Yorkshire - Azhar Mahmood, Danish Kaneria, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Yasir Arafat, all of whom are dropped.

Alam, a young all-rounder, has been selected on the back of an outstanding domestic season, while left-arm seamer Shah impressed for PIA and Rawalpindi.

Pakistan chief of selectors Salahuddin Ahmed has revealed he and his colleagues are looking to the future after naming a 16-man squad for a three-match one-day series with Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Asif have all been recalled to the squad and Salahuddin was keen to stress Pakistan are building for the next World Cup after a disastrous campaign in the West Indies.

Mohammad Asif has been named as Pakistan's vice captain © Getty Images

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“We will give more chances to youngsters in future in order to groom players for the next World Cup,” Salahuddin said.

“We have included two promising youngsters - Fawad Alam and Najaf Shah - after considering their performances on the recent tour of Bangladesh, as well as in domestic cricket.”

The appointment of Asif as vice-captain is an eye-catching decision by the PCB as the fast bowler still has a WADA investigation hanging over him after he tested positive for nandrolone on the eve of last year’s Champions Trophy.

"Asif was considered for the post as he holds a permanent place in the team and has played a key role in bringing prestige to the country,” PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf said.

Kamran Akmal retains his place as the first-choice wicket-keeper despite a poor World Cup and there is also a spot for opener Salman Butt. Paceman Shoaib Akhtar is still missing through injury.

Shoaib Malik will captain Pakistan for the first time after being appointed as Inzamam’s successor.

Squad: Shoaib Malik (capt), Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal (wk), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul, Yasir Hameed, Rao Iftikhar, Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Sami, Najaf Shah, Mohammad Yousuf.