Pakistan recall Alam and Rauf from Australia

The Pakistan Cricket Board has recalled players Fawad Alam and Abdul Rauf from Australia to reduce the size of the touring squad, officials said in a statement on Thursday.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim told Reuters that a request by the team management to send senior batsman Younus Khan to Australia before the second Test in Sydney starting on Sunday had been put on hold.

"The team management had asked us to rush Younus to reinforce the team but after discussing the matter with the board chairman we have decided that a final decision would be taken after the second Test," Qasim said.

Pakistan lost the first Test by 170 runs.