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Islamabad: Pakistan dropped wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal from its 20-member squad for cricket's upcoming Asia Cup, the chief selector said yesterday.
Selector Salahuddin Ahmad said Akmal was rested to give youngster Sarfraz Ahmad a chance in the six-nation tournament, starting in Pakistan on June 24. Pakistan are placed in Group B for the Asia Cup with arch-rival India and minnows Hong Kong, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates are in Group A. The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. The final was scheduled for Karachi on July 6.
Pakistan will be without its two ace pacemen - Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif.
Akhtar was serving an 18-month ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board for a number of violations of discipline.
Asif had been in Dubai since June 1 when authorities found an illegal substance in the fast bowler's wallet as he travelled though the airport.
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