Junaid, Yasir get a recall as selectors name Pakistan squads

Author: Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Pacer Junaid Khan and leg spinner Yasir Shah on Friday made a comeback in Pakistan’s 16-member one-day international squad named for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. The selectors, led by former Test skipper Inzamamul Haq, also named a 15-man Twenty20 team that will participate in a triangular series involving Zimbabwe and Australia. Opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad, who was tested positive in a doping test conducted in an Indian lab recently, has not been able to retain his place in the T20 squad. However, a review board of the Pakistan Anti-doping Agency will decide Shahzad’s fate after Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) suggestion. Batsman Sahibzada Farhan has earned a maiden call-up replacing opener Shahzad. Farhan, a 22-year old opening batsman, has an impressive List A record, averaging over 52. He also played for Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) III, but was somewhat underwhelming, scoring 91 runs in five innings. The triangular series will take place from July 1 to July 8 whereas the five-match ODI series will commence from July 13. The ODIs have been scheduled at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on July 13, 16, 18, 20 and 22, respectively. The team will depart for Zimbabwe on June 28.

Asif Ali and Hussain Talat, who both found themselves called up to the T20I side against West Indies in Karachi, have retained their places, with Asif also earning a spot in the ODI side for the first time. Babar Azam has been named in the ODI squad, though a final decision on the 23-year old will be taken after assessing his recovery from the arm fracture that kept him out of the much of the tour of the UK. Mohammad Amir, who was initially asked to get rest for the Zimbabwe tour, has been named in both squads. His inclusion shows that coach Mickey Arthur is unwilling to allow him to miss the tour.

“Sahibzada Farhan has been selected in the T20I squad, whereas Mohammad Hafeez is selected in both T20I and ODI squad, and will be available for the team as an all-rounder after his bowling action was cleared,” Inzamam told reporters. “Asif Ali is included in the ODI squad to strengthen the lower middle order while Junaid and Yasir are back after recovering from their injuries. Babar Azam was not considered for T20s because he is still recovering from injury and as per medical staff, it is hoped that he will be fit for ODIs,” added Inzamam. Yasir, who missed the UK tour with a stress fracture, last played an ODI in October 2016. Depending on conditions, Pakistan could field a twin-legspin attack, with Shadab Khan also part of the squad.

Twenty20 squad:

Sarfraz Ahmad (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhan.

ODI squad:

Sarfraz Ahmad (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam (subject to fitness), Asif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan Shinwari, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali and Haris Sohail.

Published in Daily Times, June 23^rd2018.