Pakistan on Friday retained all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez for the second Test against New Zealand despite his bowling action being reported. Hafeez's action was reported as suspect by match officials after the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, which Pakistan won by 248 runs for a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. The second Test starts in Dubai from Monday.
Under the International Cricket Council rules on suspect bowling action, Hafeez has 21 days to have a mandatory bio-mechanic assessment of his action. But in that period he is allowed to bowl at international level. Injured opener Ahmed Shehzad misses out and is the only change to the side that won the successive Abu Dhabi Tests against Australia and New Zealand.
Chief selector Moin Khan said Ahmed Shehzad is a forced change. "The change has been forced on us owing to a head injury to Ahmed Shehzad. "Team Pakistan is keen and confident of maintaining its winning sequence in the remaining two Tests as well", said chief selector and manager Khan.
Our correspondent adds: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar M. Khan has approved the 15-member squad for following its recommendation by the six-member selection committee headed by former captain Moin Khan. There is only one change to the side that won the successive Abu Dhabi Tests against Australia and New Zealand. It may be noted that Ahmed Shehzad has already returned home to rest and recuperate from the head injury he received on day two of the first Test match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.
"Since Shehzad had been advised not to participate in sporting activity for a minimum of three weeks, and he could take no further part in the ongoing Test match, it was considered prudent to send him back home for complete rest and recuperation," said manager Moin Khan. Ahmed Shehzad was hit in the face while attempting a pull shot on a Corey Anderson bouncer. Shehzad was taken to a local hospital where he was examined by consultant plastic surgeon. After examining his CT scan the consultant confirmed that he had fracture of the right zygomatic arch but fortunately he did not require active surgical intervention at present and can be managed conservatively on pain killers and muscle relaxants for a week.
Shehzad will remain under the observation of Dr Sohail Saleem, PCB's Senior General Manager, Sports Medicine. Shan Masood or Taufiq Umar is likely to replace Shehzad. The third Test will be played in Sharjah from November 26. The 15-member squad: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Ehsan Adil, Harris Sohail, Imran Khan, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.
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