Sachin Tendulkar [Images] will lead West Zone against South in the Duleep Trophy league tie at Hyderabad from February 22, national selection committee chairman Kiran More said on Friday.

"Sachin is not only playing, but will also be leading the side," said More, who is also the chief selector of West Zone.

More, who spoke to Tendulkar on Friday to get the latter's confirmation, said "he [Tendulkar] feels fine".

Tendulkar has not played since turning out for India in the last One-Day International against Bangladesh at Dhaka on December 27, but has started practising over the last few days at the MIG Cricket Club ground in Bandra, close to his residence.

Tendulkar was at the MIG club on Friday to give a pep talk to the visiting English county cricketers, who played a match against a local team.

"He came to the ground at the request of visiting team's coach Graham Gooch [former England [Images] captain] to give a pep talk to the squad members," sources close to the batsman said, adding "he is very keen to play against Pakistan".

Tendulkar had skipped the Deodhar and N K P Salve Challenger Trophy series to rest his injured elbow.

There was further good news for India in the run-up to the high-voltage series against Pakistan with Irfan Pathan [Images], who is also recovering from a side strain sustained during the Bangladesh tour, being cleared to play in the Duleep Trophy.

"Pathan and Ajit Agarkar [Images] (also on the injured list) would also be playing at Hyderabad," More said.