Pak call up Salim Elahi

Opener Salim Elahi will fly to Singapore to reinforce the injury-hit Pakistani team in the tri-nations 2000 Singapore Challenge series, Pakistan Cricket Board officials said Thursday.

"Elahi is being sent as replacement for Shahid Afridi who got injured in the match against South Africa," chief selector Wasim Bari said.

Elahi, who last played for Pakistan against Australia in Karachi two years back, will be sent on the first available flight, Bari said.

Elahi, 23, walked out on the team in October 1998 after coach Javed Miandad scolded him for poor batting and said he would never play cricket again.

Miandad is presently in his second stint as coach.

Afridi injured his right hand during Pakistan's 28-run win over South Africa on Wednesday and was ruled out for Sunday's final.

Experienced opener Saeed Anwar missed the match against South Africa due to fever and has slim chances of playing in the final.

Pakistan beat New Zealand in the first match by 12 runs and qualified for the final by downing South Africa.

South Africa meets New Zealand on Friday to decide who meets Pakistan in the final.

Mail Cricket Editor