Inzamam reveals why Umar Akmal was selected

Chief selector was given clearance by Pakistan Cricket Board to consider middle-order batsman for upcoming series

Pakistan chief selector Inzamamul Haq said that batsman Umar Akmal was picked for the T20I series against the West Indies on basis of his form in the ongoing National T20 Cup.

The former skipper said that the selection committee had been given clearance by the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider Akmal for the upcoming series after he sorted out his disciplinary matters with the board.

“He [Akmal] is back in the squad because he is in good form and has shown this in the national event,” said Inzamam.

“I have spoken to him and he is keen to prove to everyone that he wants to become a permanent member of the national team in all formats of the game,” he added.



Speaking about all-rounder Shahid Afridi and opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad, the former captain said that the duo were not considered because of issues with form and fitness. However, he added that they are not blocked from upcoming selections.

“It is not that the door is closed on them,” said Inzamam. “When we are satisfied that they meet the standards of fitness and form, they will be considered for selection.”

Earlier, left-arm pacer Rumman Raees and right-hand middle-order batsman Saad Nasim were also selected in the 15-man squad for the series which will start from September 23.



The team was finalised by Inzamam after consultations with the Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur and the T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

Pakistan will face World T20 champions West Indies in a three-match T20I series which will be followed by as many ODIs. The two teams will then end the tour with three Tests.

T20I squads

Pakistan

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

West Indies

Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton

Inzamam was quoted by Press Trust of India