Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) secretary Waqar Ahmad told this reporter on Saturday that a Council meeting had been celled on Tuesday at 1 pm to finalise the Pakistan 'A' side.

National selection committee met at the PCB headquarters in the Qadhafi Stadium on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm under the chairmanship of former Test paceman Salim Altaf and finalised the names of players. Former Test captain Zaheer Abbas and ex-Test opener Shafiq Ahmad ``Papa'' also attended the meeting along with him. They discussed the names of probables for three hours before naming the team.

The national selectors also had a good look at 16 probables in some sort of ``special trials'' which were arranged in connection with selection of the side. Incidentally,the selectors had not seen the boys before. Names of other players, who stake their claim for selection in the team were also considered.

Waqar Ahmad said: ``A meeting of the PCB executive council will be held on Feb 10 (Tuesday) at 1 pm at the Qadhafi Stadium. The meeting will approve Pakistan 'A' team and also appoint coach and captain of the side selected to play against the visitingIndian 'A' team.''

Khalid Mahmood, appointed as the new PCB chairman, visited the Qadhafi Stadium on Saturday. He formally took charge of his office. Khalid Mahmood, a former senior member of the PCB executive council, is expected to preside over the forthcoming meeting on Tuesday.

The PCB secretary also announced that the Test paceman Muhammad Zahid, who had an operation of his spine, is improving fast. He visited the PCB headquarters on Saturday and told Waqar Ahmad that he had bowled ten overs at a lively pace in a friendly match without having any ill-effects.

Muhammad Zahid informed that he should be completely fit by the end of April.

Date-stamped : 08 Feb1998 - 06:24