Selectors name five uncapped players

Pakistan selectors named five uncapped players Wednesday in a 15-member squad for the first test against Sri Lanka - the hosts long-awaited return to test cricket.

All-rounder Fawad Alam, opening batsmen Khurram Manzoor and Ahmed Shahzad, and fast bowlers Mohammad Talha and Sohail Khan are the newcomers. The first test will be played in Karachi from Feb. 21-25 while the second test will be at Lahore from Mar. 1-5.

The series is Pakistan's first home test matches since October 2007 when it played against South Africa. It's also Pakistan's first test home or away in 14 months, with security concerns prompting tour cancellations. The 19-year-old Shahazad was rewarded for his brilliant 146 against Sri Lanka on Tuesday in the warm-up match.

"We are facing problems in the opening slots and both the new openers are good prospects for Pakistan," chief selector Abdul Qadir told reporters.

The selectors have also recalled middle-order batsmen Asim Kamal, who played his last test match against England in 2005.

Pakistan Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Ahmed Shahzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Faisal Iqbal, Asim Kamal, Fawad Alam, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Talha, Yasir Arafat.

KARACHI, AP