Four Bangladesh players in Rest of Asia squad

Four Bangladesh players have been included in the Rest of Asia squad to take on Pakistan in two limited-overs exhibition matches to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 25 and 26.

"Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Rafique, Aftab Ahmed and Shahadat Hossain will represent Rest of the Asia," Faruque Ahmed, the Bangladesh chief selector, told The Daily Star.

Faruque said that Nafees was included primarily because the organisers requested them to send a specialist opener for the matches. Nafees enjoyed a good series against Australia at home recently, scoring a century in the first Test at Fatullah.

The other members of the squad include Anil Kumble, Ajay Jadeja, Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman from India, along with Romesh Kaluwitharana and Kumar Dharmasena from Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya was in the original list, but had to be withdrawn, as he is now with the national team on the tour of England. Jayasuriya recently reversed his decision to retire from Tests.

A full-strength Pakistan team will be led by Inzamam-ul-Haq.