Pakistan depart for tour of Zimbabwe

Aamer Yameen, Imran Khan Jr likely to make international debuts on tour

KARACHI: The Pakistan cricket team left for their tour of Zimbabwe early on Thursday, where they will play two T20Is and three ODIs starting with the first T20I on September 27.

The national selection committee has drafted in two exciting prospects — all-rounder Aamer Yameen and medium pacer Imran Khan Jr — in the T20 squad and there will be a lot of pressure on the newcomers to deliver on the international stage.

The weight of expectations will especially be immense on Imran, who has become a fan-favourite after his eye-catching performances on the domestic front; often outfoxing batsmen with his cunning change of pace, and the 27-year-old believes he can do well, if given a chance.

“I’m looking forward to my first call-up in the international arena and I would give my best, if given a chance to play in any of the matches,” said Imran. “I haven’t played first-class cricket in Pakistan apart from some T20 tournaments, but I’m confident that I can do well at any level. You need to be mentally strong to play against the top players of the world and I am confident that I will do well against them.”

Meanwhile, middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood returned to the squad after a spell on the sidelines due to a wrist fracture, and the 28-year-old believes a good performance would be extremely beneficial for his confidence.

“My target is to do well on my return,” Maqsood told The Express Tribune. “I couldn’t play against Zimbabwe at home but saw them play good cricket. It would be a competitive series in my opinion, and I’m looking forward to making the most of this opportunity.”

Fast-bowler Wahab Riaz also returns to the squad after being forced to leave the Sri Lanka tour midway in July due to a fractured hand.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Asad Shafiq and ODI skipper Azhar Ali will miss the two-match T20I series as they are currently performing Hajj, while Anwar Ali, who is nursing a groin injury, will also be among the absentees.

The team left the Lahore airport without any media talk as most of the players had come either directly from their homes, or from the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The Pakistan T20 squad is high on confidence after an impressive series win over Sri Lanka and new players — Imad Wasim, Anwar and Mohammad Rizwan — will look to extend their strong run in the shortest format of the game.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2015.

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