Informed sources stated that though the selectors had not picked Younis in the initial squad, he paceman may be preferred over Shahid Nazir or Fazl-i-Akbar. Sources said Nazir was struggling with injury while Akbar has failed to gain the captain's and coach's confidence in the ongoing Dhaka tournament.

The sources maintained that the element of experience was also lacking in the selected four pacers - Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Akhtar, Fazl-i-Akbar and Shahid Nazir. However, Wasim Akram remains out of contention for a place in the touring party.

There is no debate on the batting and spinning department which is: Saeed Anwar (vice-captain), Aamir Sohail, Ali Naqvi, Ijaz Ahmad, Inzamamul Haq, Yousuf Yohanna, Mohammad Wasim, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmad.

In another development, the PCB's deliberations with former English pacer Neil Foster failed last week. The breakup in the dialogue is expected to be a blessing in disguise for Haroon Rasheed who is all set to retain his place, at least, on the African tour.

The PCB Council meets in Lahore with a one-point agenda - to approve the team and manager for South Africa and Zimbabwe tours. The agenda doesn't include the appointment of a captain and coach which leads one to the conclusion that Rashid Latif and Haroon Rasheed will keep their designations.