| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
Lahore: The national selection committee held a prolonged session on Wednesday but failed to reach a consensus on the touring squad for next month's tour of Zimbabwe.
With the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt also back after a prolonged vacation, the selectors held deliberations at the Gaddafi stadium but the board said late evening announcements about the team would be made later on.
Chief selector Mohsin Khan has said that there is a debate on including some new faces in the touring squad and resting some of the senior players including Younis Khan, Umar Gul, Taufeeq Umar etc.
Pakistan will play a Test, 3 ODIs and a T20 international in Zimbabwe but in October-November they take on Sri Lanka in a full series in the UAE and clash with Bangladesh in December before taking on England again in the UAE in January-February.
"The coming tours are very important for us and we will select the touring squad for Zimbabwe keeping those tours also in mind," Mohsin said.
The selectors have been impressed with some of the young talent that was invited to the fast-track camp organized by the PCB in Lahore where Mohsin was also present as batting coach.
The present selection committee has never been hesitant in calling up young players in the last two years but sources said that with series against stronger opponents coming up there is a feeling that it would be better to allow the seniors to use the Zimbabwe tour to settle down and prepare for the tougher battles.
"But the tour is also an ideal opportunity for us to recall some players and try out some new faces," one selector said.
All-rounder, Sohail Tanvir and fast bowler Sohail Khan appear to be certain to make it to the Zimbabwe tour after impressive performances in domestic cricket.
The selectors have also been told to deliberate upon a short-list of players who can be considered for the central contracts that will run from July 1 to end of the year.
"The announcement of the central contracts has already been delayed and we are hoping to finalize them before the team leaves for Zimbabwe around 22 August," one official said.
The selectors have to seek the approval of the board chairman before announcing the touring squad for Zimbabwe and similarly in the case of the central contracts as well, Butt will have the final say.
