Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee, headed by former Test captain Inzamamul Haq, Friday recalled middle-order batsman Umar Akmal to the Pakistan Twenty20 squad for the forthcoming T20 series against the West Indies to be played later this month in the United Arab Emirates. After the disciplinary issues sidelined Akmal from the national side contention since ICC World T20 in March this year, the 26-year-old’s staggering performances, 302 runs at an outstanding average of 152, in the ongoing National T20 Cup strengthened his case for an international return. Akmal scored a brilliant 115 not-out from 48 balls at a telling rate of 239 on Monday. He plundered Yasir Arafat for 34 runs in an over, hitting five sixes and a four to complete his century.

Akmal has taken on the mantle of Pakistan’s enfant terrible and has been involved in a number of on and off-field disciplinary breaches including a scuffle with a traffic policeman. He was dropped after being heavily criticised in a post-mortem report written by head coach Waqar Younis in the aftermath of the World Twenty20 held in India in April this year, where Pakistan crashed out in the first round. Former coach Waqar felt Akmal should go back to domestic cricket and re-earn his place in the Pakistan side. Akmal has been recalled after assuring the Pakistan Cricket Board he would mend his ways. But there was no recall for opener Ahmad Shahzad, also dropped on disciplinary grounds who suffered a back problem in the National T20 Cup. Another opener Mohammad Hafeez has also been left out after he returned home mid-way through the one-day series in England with calf and knee injuries. “We always thought that Akmal deserved a place in the T20 squad and he indeed is in very good form,” Tauseef Ahmed, a member of Pakistan’s selection committee, said. “We really don’t need to go back into past and think about why he was dropped. We got the required clearance from the PCB before picking him. He is a good batsman and there is always a place for him in the squad.”

Fast-bowler Ammad Butt, who returned from the England tour without an outing, has missed out from the squad. Hasan Ali, who played his only T20 earlier this week against England at Old Trafford, has retained his spot. The right-armer returned the match figures of two for 24 in his four overs, dismissing Joe Root for the third consecutive time during the tour. Ruman Raees and Saad Nasim have also returned to the side.

“Nasim is picked for tactical reasons. We want to take a chance with a legspinner against West Indies. And observing him in the national circuit, I think he can give us some variety as he is also a solid batsman,” said Tauseef. Rumman has been earmarked as a future prospect. “Rumman on other hand is booming fast bowler and we want to keep him on line with the national squad. He had been outstanding at the domestic level and we want him to be in contention,” maintained the selector.

Wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the side, having made his captaincy debut for Pakistan in a nine-wicket win over England in Manchester on Wednesday. Pakistan and West Indies play the first two Twenty20 matches in Dubai on September 23 and 24 followed by the third in Abu Dhabi on September 27. Pakistan will also play three one-day internationals and as many Tests against the West Indies in UAE, for which squads will be announced later.

Squad:

Sarfraz Ahmad (captain), Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Saad Nasim, Rumman Raees.