All rounder Azhar Mahmood has been added to Pakistan's reserves for the
World Cup starting in West Indies next month after clearance from
the ICC. 
National selector Iqbal Qasim said that Mahmood had
been included in place of uncapped spinner Mansoor Amjad as cover for pace bowlers
Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif.
All three will undergo fitness tests this month and, if required, can be replaced
in the squad from the shortlist of players.
Mahmood, 31, was called up to join the Pakistan team in South
Africa as a reinforcement for the one-dayers after being sidelined for two years.
He was dropped for the final one-dayer on Wednesday after playing
in the previous three.
Saleem Altaf, Pakistan's director of cricket operations, said
Umar Gul had been advised to take two weeks' rest for an ankle injury
while Asif had complained of an elbow problem.
"Akhtar will be returning from London this week after getting a second
opinion on his knee injury. We don't as yet know if he requires a surgery,"
he said.
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