LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-man team for the forthcoming One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 series against South Africa but delayed naming the captain despite Shahid Afridi’s inclusion in the squad.
The squad includes Misbahul Haq, who was dumped following Pakistan’s winless tour of Australia earlier this year, but has no place for wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal – who underwent an appendicitis operation – and former captain Shoaib Malik who was overlooked for the ODI series against England last month. Other casualties from the squad against England include Azhar Ali, Shahzaib Hasan as well as fast-bowlers Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz.
Misbah, who last played an ODI in September 2009, was thrilled with the recall.
“I’ve been practising regularly and have maintained my fitness,” Misbah told The Express Tribune. “Although playing an international match is always tough, I’m confident about my performance in the UAE.”
Akmal has been replaced by Zulqarnain Haider, who made his Test debut against England and was forced to return to Pakistan after just one Test – where he scored a valiant 88 – owing to a fractured finger.
“I’m happy with the confidence the selectors have shown in me to pick me again,” said Haider, who will be making his ODI debut in the upcoming series. “This will be a good chance for me to show my ability against a tough team like South Africa. I justified the selectors’ faith in me when I did well in the Test against England and I’m ready to take on this challenge as well.”
Changes in management
As predicted by The Express Tribune yesterday, former Pakistan captain and coach Intikhab Alam has replaced Yawar Saeed as the team manager with the South Africa series his first assignment. Alam, who was appointed the head of the National Cricket Academy after being removed as Pakistan’s coach. The PCB has also reduced the number of coaches accompanying the squad as expected with fielding coach Ijaz Ahmed left out and Aaqib Javed being appointed the bowling coach.
Scotland Yard hands over case
The Scotland Yard, investigating Pakistan players following the spot-fixing allegations, has forwarded the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) without sufficient evidence needed to proceed with the criminal charges.
While players are likely to escape these charges, the International Cricket Council had provisionally suspended Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif for various offences that violated the code of conduct.
The ICC proceeded with the suspension following claims which are yet to be validated by the Scotland Yard and will hear the appeals on October 30 and 31 in Doha.
Pakistan squad
Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanveer Ahmed, Zulqarnain Haider.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2010.
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