Saudi Arabia stages Asian clash

Inzamam-ul-Haq is set to lead Pakistan against an Asian XI in two matches to promote cricket in Saudi Arabia later in the week.

The games will be played on an artificial wicket at the Al-Ahli stadium in Jeddah and capacity crowds are expected.

Asia's squad has five Indian players, four Sri Lankans and four Bangladeshis.

Meanwhile, former India Test star Ajay Jadeja, who served a five-year ban for match fixing in 2000 has been included in the 13, which will be captained by VVS Laxman.

Expatriates from India and Pakistan formed the Saudi Cricket Centre, which is supporting the two matches, and it is hoped that the promotional matches will convey how much the sport is increasing in popularity in the kingdom.

Pakistan will field a near full-strength side, minus injured paceman Shoaib Akhtar, ahead of their tour of England, which features four Tests and five one-day internationals.

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