LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board has started preparations for the tours toEngland and Ireland and tests will be held at the National Cricket Academyfrom tomorrow (Monday).

The tests, to be held on April 9 and 10, will be undertaken by thecentrally-contracted cricketers. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, all-rounder ImadWasim and medium pacer Sohail Khan will not be undergoing the tests due toinjuries.

Imad Wasim suffered a concussion during fielding in the recently concludedPakistan Super League (PSL) third edition. Yasir Shah, according to sourcesclose to the matter, is facing a hip injury since last week. The nature ofhis injury will be reviewed and a subsequent decision will be takenregarding his selection.

PSL stars Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhanhave also been invited for the fitness tests. Fawad Alam, who impressedwith his batting in the domestic circuit, has also been summoned for thetests. However, his chances for selection in the national squad remainbleak, the sources added.

The probables for the Ireland and England Tests will be announced after theresults of the fitness tests. A preparation camp will then be held at theNCA.

Sources said Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has recommended including 17players in the squad for the tours next month.

Pacer Wahab Riaz may find it difficult to secure a place in the squad.Rahat Ali will be included, the sources added.

Pakistan will play a lone Test against Ireland and two Tests againstEngland from next month.