Afridi axed from Pakistan Test squad; Kaneria, Sami returns

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Lahore, Nov 16 (UNI) The one-day debacle took its toll with off-form all-rounder Shahid Afridi today getting the axe from the 14-member Pakistan squad for the three match Test series against India commencing in New Delhi from November 22.

According to Pakistan chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed, alongwith Afridi there other members of the ongoing ODI squad -- Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Imran Nazir -- will also fly back home after the conclusion of the ODI series in Jaipur.

''Afridi, Alam, Iftikhar and Nazir will return home after the final one-dayer in Jaipur,'' Salahuddin said.

Leg spinner Danish Kaneria, pacer Mohammad Sami and batsman Faisal Iqbal, who were overlooked for the ODI series, made a return into the side for the Test series.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin termed team composition as the reason behind Afridi's exclusion from the Test squad.

''If we play three pacers and Danish, it is difficult to find a place for him (Afridi). He is such a senior player, we feel it is better he comes home,'' he reiterated.

Frontline pacer Mohammad Asif has already been ruled out from Test series after he failed to pass a fitness test.

Malik's men have already lost the five-match ODI series after India took an unassilable 1-3 lead following their six-wicket victory in the fourth game in Gwalior yesterday.

UNI