Hafeez to captain Pakistan in Azhar's absence

ODI captain recovering from hamstring injury incurred during first match against Australia

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will lead the ODI side when the Men in Green take on Australia in the second match in Melbourne on Sunday, announced Pakistan Cricket Board.

Azhar Ali, the full-time captain, suffered a hamstring injury during the first ODI in Sydney which Pakistan lost by 92 runs.

He is expected to recover soon and be a part of the team for the fourth and fifth ODI in Sydney and Adelaide, respectively.

.@AzharAli_ has left the field due to the cramp in right leg. @babarazam258 replaces him! https://t.co/xiiDbILxrb #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/FS4Mp3DKtt

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 13, 2017

The obvious choice, vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed, is in Pakistan to attend to his ailing mother hence the decision to give Hafeez the charge was taken.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik sat out of the first ODI due to sickness, which means that if he is not fit for Sunday, the only possible replacement left would be Asad Shafiq.

Squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan.

Is @MHafeez22 a good choice as stand-in captain for @AzharAli_? https://t.co/B7RWz3kXHO #AUSvPAK

— Tribune Sports (@ETribuneSports) January 14, 2017