Australia series: Younus dumped from ODI squad
Umar Amin included in both short-format teams; Zia, Saad part of T20 line-up.
Following days of deliberation, the national selection committee unveiled the ODI and T20 squad for the upcoming series against Australia set to be played next month.
Former captain Younus Khan, who was recalled to the ODI squad for the series against Sri Lanka, was surprisingly left out of the 50-over format after getting only one opportunity on the tour.
After holding a series of meetings with fellow selectors, head coach Waqar Younis, ODI captain Misbahul Haq and T20 captain Shahid Afridi, committee head Moin Khan announced the squad after getting chairman Shaharyar Khan’s approval over Younus’ contentious exclusion.
“Younus is not part of our plan for the World Cup hence he has not been selected,” Moin told the media at the Qaddafi stadium.
“There was consensus among the selectors on this decision. However, I will reiterate that we have not closed the ODI cricket door on him.”
Umar Amin regains spot in both squads
Batsmen Awais Zia and Umar Amin have been recalled on the basis of their fine performance in the ongoing National T20 Cup.
Amin, rated highly by Waqar, made another comeback in both formats after failing to cement his spot despite extended runs in all three formats of the game since his Test debut in 2010.
Zia, who scored the first century of the National T20 tournament on the opening day last week, has been included in the T20 squad after playing three matches in the same format against England in 2012.
Saad Nasim, the youngster representing Lahore Lions in the Champions League T20 in India, also won a place in the squad, courtesy his strong performances across the border.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said Saad.
Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan and fast-bowler Bilawal Bhatti also succeeded in winning their berths in the T20 squad.
Sharjeel out, Shafiq in
Left-handed opener Sharjeel Khan paid the price for his ordinary returns in Sri Lanka by failing to find a place in either of the two UAE-bound squads.
On the other hand, middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq was recalled for the 50-over format, keeping in mind his fine form in the current National T20 event.
Wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed was also rewarded by being included in the ODI squad, following his outstanding batting against Sri Lanka in the two Tests played last month.
Pakistan and Australia play the only T20 in Dubai on October 5, while the three one-day internationals are in Sharjah (October 7), Dubai (October 10) and Abu Dhabi (October 13).
Players included in squads
T20:
Shahid Afridi (c), Ahmed Shahzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Sohaib Maqsood, Awais Zia, Saad Nasim, Raza Hasan, Muhammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Bilawal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir
ODIs:
Misbahul Haq (c), Ahmed Shahzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Muhammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2014.