ICC Champions Trophy: Azhar Ali back in Pakistan squad
Former captain replaces Kamran Akmal, who is dropped after poor display on West Indies tour
PHOTO COURTESY: CRICKET AUSTRALIA
Former Pakistan ODI captain Azhar Ali has been included in the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
The right-handed batsman was dropped from the team for the three-match ODI series against West Indies, but is now included in the squad in place of batsman Kamran Akmal announced on Tuesday.
Kamran, who made a comeback in the team after a gap of three years, had a horrid time in the Caribbean, both with the bat and in the field.
However, Kamran's younger brother and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is also included in the squad, after missing out from the Windies tour on fitness grounds.
The Men-in-Green are placed in Group B alongside Virat Kohli’s India, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
The tournament will be played from June 1 to June 18 in England, and Sarfraz Ahmed’s men will play their first match on June 4 against arch-rivals India at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Squad:
Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper/captain), Ahmad Shahzad, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, Junaid Khan, Fahim Ashraf
The right-handed batsman was dropped from the team for the three-match ODI series against West Indies, but is now included in the squad in place of batsman Kamran Akmal announced on Tuesday.
Kamran Akmal out, Umar Akmal in for ICC Champions Trophy
Kamran, who made a comeback in the team after a gap of three years, had a horrid time in the Caribbean, both with the bat and in the field.
However, Kamran's younger brother and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is also included in the squad, after missing out from the Windies tour on fitness grounds.
The Men-in-Green are placed in Group B alongside Virat Kohli’s India, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Kamran can be Pakistan’s match-winner, says Sarfraz
The tournament will be played from June 1 to June 18 in England, and Sarfraz Ahmed’s men will play their first match on June 4 against arch-rivals India at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Squad:
Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper/captain), Ahmad Shahzad, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, Junaid Khan, Fahim Ashraf