Wicket keeper Sarfraz Ahmed is returning home from Australia due to illness of his mother, sources in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), said. Sarfraz's return is a second blow to the Pakistan One Day International squad, which is to face Australia in ODI series without paceman Muhammad Irfan, whose mother passed away earlier this week. Irfan has been replaced by pacer Junaid Khan.
Sarfraz will return to Pakistan on the first available flight to see his mother, the sources said, adding: "Batsman Muhammad Hafeez will join the Pakistan team today, whereas Khan will join his team-mates tomorrow." Pakistan and Australia will face off in Brisbane on January 13. The sources claim that batsman Umar Akmal who can work behind wickets is expected to replace Sarfraz Ahmed.