KARACHI: Pakistan’s interim selection committee, led by Shahid Afridi, has named a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series scheduled to be played in Karachi this month.
Opening batter Fakhar Zaman has made a comeback from his injury and included in squad while middle-order batter Haris Sohail has also been recalled for the series. Sohail lasts played an ODI for Pakistan in October 2020.
Uncapped Tayyab Tahir, who had a great run in domestic tournaments, has earned his maiden call. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Usama Mir has also been named in squad in place of injured Shadab Khan.
“I spoke to Shadab this morning, he wasn’t feeling comfortable due to finger injury, that’s why he is not selected for the series against New Zealand,” said interim chairman of selectors Shahid Afridi.
Afridi said that selection committee did consult the team management before announcing the squad for the three-match series.
The ODI series will be played in Karachi with matches scheduled on 9th ,11th and 13th January.
“We asked Babar and Saqlain to give their choice of 16 before finalising this squad, where we felt things can improve, we do discussion on these issues,” Afridi said.
“It was an important responsibility for me, there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan and it made me feel good. I am here for limited time but important was to keep Pakistan’s future in mind.
“Our mandate was to name squads for series against New Zealand only but we have made our choices keeping future in our mind. We have also given importance to performances in domestic cricket,” he concluded.
Squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir.
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