Pakistan Thursday axed fumbling wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal from a list of 20 probables for the Asia Cup, selectors said.

Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told AFP Akmal was rested for the six-nation event starting from June 24 in Karachi and Lahore.

A final squad will be announced on Sunday. Title-holders Sri Lanka, hosts Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates will take part in the Asia Cup.

"We have given rest to Akmal as he has been playing for the last four-five years and needs improvement behind the stumps," Ahmed said.

The official dismissed suggestions that introducing a new keeper in Sarfraz Ahmed in a major tournament would be risky.

"Ahmed is also a very good wicket-keeper and we must prepare him and give rest to Akmal whenever possible."

The 26-year-old Akmal has been unimpressive behind the stumps and dropped some crucial catches in Pakistan's tri-series matches in Dhaka earlier this month.

Pakistan, however, won the series beating India by 25 runs in the final.

Akmal has played 88 one-day internationals and 38 Tests since making his debut in 2003.

Probables: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshed, Younus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan, Naumanullah Khan, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Rao Iftikhar, Sohail Khan, Yasir Hameed, Mansoor Amjad, Abdur Rauf, Saeed Ajmal.

(Article: Copyright © 2008 AFP)