Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee, headed by former Test batsman Inzamamul Haq, Tuesday recalled fast bowler Umar Gul to a 15-member national ODI squad that will play two one-day internationals in Ireland and five in England starting later this month. Azhar Ali will lead the side. The 32-year old Umar last played 50-over cricket for his country in April 2015 before being discarded over his lack of form and fitness. He has 173 one-day wickets from 126 matches in a storied career, marred by recent injury problems. He is one of four fast bowlers – including the uncapped Hasan Ali – selected to the play the limited overs series against England and Ireland from August 18. Legspinner Yasir Shah has also made a return to limited-overs cricket for the first time since November 2015. He had been suspended for a doping offence and was unavailable for selection when Pakistan had toured New Zealand in January 2016. Left-handed batsman Sami Aslam, who impressed with his profound technique during the third Test at Edgbaton against England, has also been named in the squad.

At the same time there is no place for opener Ahmad Shahzad and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal in the ODI squad. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan last week said both players were axed from the initial squad of 31 because of discipline issues. Other notable exclusion from the squad is fast bowler Mohammad Irfan. “This squad is a blend of youth and experience and the selectors hoped it will do well,” said chief selector Inzamam. “We have included some young players like Hasan Ali to build the team for the future.” Hasan Ali, the 22-year old right-arm seamer, made his List A debut in 2013 and has taken 40 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 22.87. He had recently been in the UK, with the Pakistan A team, for a triangular series against England Lions and Sri Lanka A. He took 20 wickets in eight matches for Pakistan’s A team on the England tour that ended earlier this month. Sharjeel Khan also returns to the national side after two years on the back of a staggering average of 63 runs during the recent List-A contests. The bulky left-handed opener scored 90 and 125 against Sri Lanka A and England Lions, respectively.

Pakistan will play the final Test against England at The Oval starting Thursday before leaving for Ireland, where they play two one-day internationals in Dublin on August 18 and 20. Pakistan will then play five one-day internationals against England in Southampton (August 24), Lord’s (August 27), Nottingham (August 30), Leeds (September 1) and Cardiff (September 4). Pakistan also face England in the only Twenty20 international at Old Trafford on September 7.

Pakistan’s ODI squad: Azhar Ali (capt), Sharjeel Khan, Sami Aslam, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah and Mohammad Nawaz.