Lahore: Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim talked to media at Gaddafi Stadium after the squads for the tours of England and West Indies were announced earlier today.
Pakistan men’s team will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in England while West Indies will host Green Shirts for five T20Is and two Tests.
Logic behind Azam Khan’s selection
“We are trying to create a balance between skill and fitness. Fitness is important but you have to gage few things. Azam Khan is improving his fitness and goals have been set for him but viewing need of the team, Azam was preferred,” Wasim said.
‘Imad’s record in UAE has been outstanding’
“Scenario has changed behind Imad’s return. If you look at, the coming tour[s] are important but the events after that, including ICC T20 World Cup which will potentially host by UAE. Imad’s record there has been outstanding.
Domestic performers Usman Salahuddin, Waqas Maqsood neglected once again for WI Tests
“Our Test team is quite settled and the others before them are lined up. They are still waiting for their turn. We have marked replacement and preferences will be given to those who have performed,” he added.
Reason behind Haris Sohail’s return in ODI
“We have won six series in a row but still there are weaker areas. It was highlighted that we are facing problems in middle-order. Haris Sohail has reclaimed the required fitness standards which is why we have made changes to strengthen that area,” he added.
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Haris, Imad return, uncapped Azam named as squads for Eng, WI tours announced
Lahore: Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled four experienced players and included uncapped Azam Khan in the squads for the tours of England and West Indies.
The side will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in England from 8-20 July, before taking on world champions West Indies in five T20Is that will be followed by two Tests.
Middle-order batsman Haris Sohail has been named in the ODI side, while Imad Wasim has returned to the T20I side. Fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah have returned to the Test side. Pacer Tabish Khan, who made his Test debut in second Test against Zimbabwe, has been sidelined.
Yasir Shah’s inclusion is subject to fitness as the wrist spinner is yet to fully recover from the knee injury that sidelined him from the Zimbabwe Tests. The selectors have retained leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood along with left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan for the Jamaica Tests.
Uncapped Saud Shakeel has also reclaimed his spot after missing South Africa ODIs due to an injury. Salman Ali Agha, who has lost his Test spot, has been called-up for ODIs.
Fakhar Zaman has maintained his place in the original squad after being drafted as an additional player for Zimbabwe T20Is following a stellar performance in South Africa.
Quetta Gladiators’ Azam Khan, the 22-year-old hard-hitting batsman, is the new face in the T20I squad.
Squads:
ODIs: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Qadir
T20Is: Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan and Usman Qadir
Tests: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah (subject to fitness) and Zahid Mahmood.
Tour itinerary:
25 June – Departure for Manchester
6 July – Arrival in Cardiff
8 July – 1st ODI, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
10 July – 2nd ODI, Lord’s, London
13 July – 3rd ODI, Edgbaston, Birmingham
16 July – 1st T20I, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
18 July – 2nd T20I, Headingley, Leeds
20 July – 3rd T20I, Old Trafford, Manchester
21 Jul – Arrival in Barbados
27 Jul – 1st T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados
28 Jul – 2nd T20I, Kensington Oval, Barbados
31 Jul – 3rd T20I, Providence Stadium, Guyana
1 Aug – 4th T20I, Providence Stadium, Guyana
3 Aug – 5th T20I, Providence Stadium, Guyana
6-7 Aug – Two-day practice match, Guyana
12-16 Aug – 1st Test, Sabina Park, Jamaica
20-24 Aug – 2nd Test, Sabina Park, Jamaica
25 Aug – Departure