The dope test is believed to be part of ICC’s routine practice under which any cricketer could be called for such a test during ICC events.

At the same time, news came that the Flamboyant all-rounder after guiding Pakistan to the Twenty20 World Cup title expressed his willingness to lead the national team at least once before calling it quits, may soon get his opportunity.

Having regained his touch with the bat, Afridi is a frontrunner to lead the Pakistan squad after Younis Khan stepped down as the T20 skipper. ‘‘For the time being Shoaib Malik is ruled out of contention for captaincy at any level and the way Afridi has performed and handled new found responsibilities as a senior player, he is certain to become the Pakistan captain for T20 cricket,’’ one PCB official said.

The good news continues for Pakistan Cricket and fans as Pakistan selectors have recalled Mohammad Yousuf on Monday for the Test tour of Sri Lanka but ignored fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. Yousuf, 33, was named in a 15-member squad which also included Abdul Razzaq.

The PCB said Shahid Afridi had requested for 15 days' rest and will join the team for the ODIs in Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20. The tour begins with a three-day warm-up match in Colombo on June 29.

Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka Tour: Younis Khan (Capt.), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wk), Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Danish Kaneria, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rauf, Fawad Alam, Faisal Iqbal.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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