Tanvir Ahmed, Rahat Ali added to Pakistan squad

Fast bowlers Tanvir Ahmed and Rahat Ali have been added to Pakistan’s squad for the three Tests against South Africa. Considering the conditions and duration of the tour, the team management had requested Pakistan’s selection committee to reinforce the squad with two more fast bowlers.

Both Ahmed and Ali are expected to reach South Africa before the first Test begins on February 1 in Johannesburg. Currently, their squad includes four quicks: Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and uncapped players Mohammad Irfan and Ehsan Adil.

ESPNcricinfo understands that due to a difference in choice between the selection committee and the team management, the committee decided to send Ali along with Ahmed, who was part of the reserves for the tour.

Ali has been out the side since he played one ODI against Sri Lanka in June last year, while the 34-year old Ahmed last played a Test in May 2011, in West Indies, after which he was dropped because of fitness and performance.

The Pakistan squad is currently playing a four-day warm-up match against South African Invitation XI in East London. After the Test series, Pakistan will play two Twenty20s and five one-dayers in South Africa.