Pakistan Saturday recalled popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi for a 14-man squad for the tri-series in the Netherlands this month and the ICC (International Cricket Council) Champions trophy in September, cricket officials said.

"We have recalled Afridi because of his experience and for the need of a leg spinner in the team, who can also bat," chief selector Wasim Bari told AFP.

The enigmatic 24-year-old, who holds the record for the fastest one-day century in just 37-balls against Sri Lanka in Kenya in 1997, played the last of his 176 limited overs Internationals against India in March this year but was left out of the Pakistan Asia Cup squad last month.

"We had two choices either to

select off-spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez or Afridi, but since we have Shoaib Malik, who also bowls off-spin, we preferred Afridi," he said.

Opener Imran Nazir and legspinner Danish Kaneria were omitted from the Pakistan side which featured in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last month.

Also included in the team is left handed opener Salman Butt, who played his only Test against Bangladesh in Multan last year.

TEAM

Inzamamul Haq (captain), Yousuf Youhana (vice-captain), Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Moin Khan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Sami, Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Rana Naveedul Hassan.

Coach: Bob Woolmer, Haroon Rasheed (manager), Murray Stevenson (trainer).