Misbah, Hafeez retained, Irfan dropped from Pak squad

Pakistan retained under-fire skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and out-of-form Muhammad Hafeez but dropped tall left-arm pacer Muhammad Irfan from 28-man probables list for the two-Test series against South Africa.
The selectors also left out experienced openers Imran Farhat and Taufiq Umar.
Misbah won the confidence of the Board despite coming under severe criticism after Pakistan lost a One-day and a Test to lowly ranked Zimbabwe on the recent tour.
The selectors after long deliberations with captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach Dav Whatmore and manager Moin Khan came out with the probables list.
The selectors did not recall experienced all-rounders Shoaib Malik or Abdul Razzaq although both of them had met with caretaker PCB Chairman Najam Sethi last week to convey their grievances at being sidelined by the selectors.

"The selectors have basically sent them a message that they consider Malik and Razzaq fit only for limited overs cricket," a source said.
He said that in the meeting there were long discussions on whether to include Hafeez who has had a miserable time in Tests this year averaging only 12 in 10 innings.
"Hafeez has been given a lifeline because Misbah and Whatmore have lot of faith in him and believe he can play a vital role with his bowling in the Tests as well against South Africa," source said.