Batsman Younis Khan, opener Sharjeel Khan and the fast bowler Mohammad Talha have been dropped while wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed has been called back, as Pakistan announced the squads for the upcoming ODI and T20 cricket series with Australia, starting in October. In the backdrop of enforced absence of Saeed Ajmal, who has been banned from international cricket for bowling with an illegal action, Pakistan have brought back the left-arm spinner Raza Hasan.
-- Younis, Sharjeel, Talha, Umar Gul, Zulifqar Babar dropped
-- Raza Hasan, Umar Amin, Ovais Zia back in the squad
However, selectors also ignored experienced pacer Umar Gul for the ODI and T20 squads and also dropped left arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar. The Pakistan-Australia series, which is comprised of one T20 and three ODIs matches, is scheduled to kick off on October 5 in the United Arab Emirates. Chief selector Moin Khan announced the ODI and T20 squads at a press conference here Wednesday. He said, "Younis has been dropped as part of a strategy to look forward to the future but the doors are not closed on him." Moin said, "there is little time left before the World Cup so the selectors have decided to try out and give more exposure to the new and younger players."
Younis, despite having an impressive batting average of 51 in 91 Tests, has not been as effective in ODIs, scoring 7,017 runs at an average of 31. The squads were initially going to be announced Tuesday but the selectors were at loggerheads over the decision of including of Younis in the ODI squad. Younis, who has played 254 ODIs, had previously been sidelined by the selectors since March, 2013. Younis told media he had not given up hope of playing at the World Cup. "I will do my best to force my way back into the ODI side. I have no plans to retire from this format as yet," Younis added.
Moin Khan said the main thrust was on the World Cup and we have focused on youngsters like Saad Nasim, who is a leg spinner and a batsman. "We have also recalled some young players like Umar Amin and Raza Hasan to bolster the squad, but this does not take anything away from the service Younis has given to the Pakistan team," he added. Pakistan have also recalled opener Ovais Zia for the T20 match after he last played against England in the same format in early 2012. Left arm spinner, Raza Hasan, 22, played seven T20 games in 2012 before being sidelined with a back injury.
Junaid Khan misses out, with fellow left-arm seamers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan taking his place. Anwar Ali is in for the injured Umar Gul, while the batsman Awais Zia returns for the first time since February 2012. Sharjeel and Babar have been left out, as have Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal, who were surprise inclusions for the World T20. The players selected for the teams are:
Pakistan ODI squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal , Fawad Alam, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid khan. T20 squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin, Shoaib Maqsood, Awais Zia, Saad Naseem, Raza Hasan, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Bilwalal Bhatti, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir.
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