Pacer Muhammad Aamir and wicket keeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan made a comeback in the national ODI squad, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. The series will start in Port Elizabeth from 19th January. There are five changes from the Test side, which is presently in Johannesburg preparing for the third and final Test. Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah have been replaced by Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, Usman Shinwari and Imad Wasim, respectively.
Led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, in the ODI squad, there are three openers Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, four middle-order batsmen Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, two all-rounders Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, one spinner (Shadab Khan), four fast bowlers Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Usman Shinwari and Mohammad Rizwan as the second wicketkeeper/batsman.
There are three changes from the 15-man ODI side, which drew with New Zealand in the UAE after the final ODI was washed out. Asif Ali, Haris Sohail and Junaid Khan have been replaced by Mohammad Amir, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood.
"The selected team is a unanimous choice of the selection panel, including Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur. While selecting the squad, we have tried to maintain consistency, taking into consideration player performances in white-ball cricket as well as looking ahead to the upcoming ODI challenges, including the World Cup," chairman of Pakistan's cricket selectors Inzamam-ul-Haq said.
Commenting on the non-selection of fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, Inzamam said: "He is very much in our scheme of things, but we have to manage his workload intelligently and smartly. He has just made a return following an injury, and we would like to give him sufficient rest before considering him for future assignments. Amir's good performance in the Test series not only made him an automatic selection, but also helped us in the decision to rest Abbas."
Inzamam said: "Before finalising the squad, we spoke with the team management, which has confirmed that all the players are fit for the ODI series. I have had separate discussions with the coach and captain, and while they are disappointed with the performance in the Test series, they remain optimistic and confident that they can turn things around."
He said, "I have complete faith and believe in the side that is presently in South Africa. It is just that it has been a tough and difficult tour for them. I have been in this situation in the past and I know exactly what they are going through. I am confident that this tour will make them better and stronger cricketers."
Pakistan squad for ODIs: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper);Babar Azam; Faheem Ashraf; Fakhar Zaman; Hasan Ali; Hussain Talat; Imad Wasim; Imam-ul-Haq; Mohammad Amir; Mohammad Hafeez; Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper); Shadab Khan; Shaheen Afridi; Shan Masood; Shoaib Malik and Usman Shinwari.
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