Saqlain to join Pakistan's Azlan Shah camp tomorrow

Lahore, June 5 (UNI) Muhammad Saqlain's participation in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is subject to a fitness test but the Pakistan skipper himself is confident and has decided to join the preparatory camp tomorrow ahead of the eight-nation tourney in Kuala Lumpur later this month.

Saqlain, who is suffering from an eye infection, was named in the list of probables even though the cloud of doubt over his fitness has not dispersed yet.

''Saqlain's swelling is almost gone and he should begin training on Tuesday,'' Pakistan's goalkeepeing coach Shahid Ali Khan said.

Saqlain, who himself is keen to join the camp, said, ''The Azlan Shah Cup is a very important tournament for us because it would provide us with a good opportunity to begin our preparations for the World Cup.

''I believe the team needs my services in this tournament which is why I would go all out to recover full match fitness within the next few days,'' Saqlain was quoted as saying by ''The News''.

Another key midfielder, Ghazanfar Ali, also joined the camp and started light practice after skipping last week's trial with a fractured hand.

Pakistan has named both Saqlain and Ghazanfar in the 20-member squad but if they fail to clear the fitness test, youngsters Imran Khan and M Javed would be asked to fill in the void.

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