LAHORE: Fast bowler Ruman Raees, batsman Saad Naseem and undisciplined Umar Akmal were named in the15-member Pakistan squad for the three-match T20 series against the West Indies, the current world champions of the shortest format, to be held in the UAE from Sept 23-27. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq named the team in a press conference here on Friday.

Sarfraz Ahmad, who won the hearts of millions of Pakistani fans by leading the national side to a fantastic victory over England at Manchester in his very first T20 game as skipper, will once again be the captain against the West Indies.

Meanwhile, the youngest of the Akmal brothers has been recalled after an unannounced five-month suspension, given to him for his poor attitude and reckless performance. Umar, along with Ahmad Shahzad, were dropped from the team after the T20 World Cup 2016 for their poor conduct and irresponsible batting.

Ruman Raees, Saad Naseem also in 15-member squad

However, both Umar and Shehzad have since tendered apologese and given assurances to the PCB for not repeating their mistakes. Umar has also given a fine performance in the ongoing National T20 Cup and in five matches, he has scored scoring 304 runs at an impressive average of 152.00, remaining not outs three times and topping the list of batsmen. Shehzad, however, continues to struggle with his form in the tournament.

“The PCB had sidelined the erratic duo of Umar, Shehzad and even ex-skipper Shahid Afridi to teach them a lesson,” said a PCB official while speaking on condition of anonymity. “Of course, they are all good cricketers and now hopefully they will not repeat the past mistakes and give the national team their 100 per cent.”

On the other hand the critics feel that Saad Nasim, who has replaced young Ammad Butt in the team, is indeed a surprise selection. In the three T20 international matches that he had played, Saad managed a poor aggregate of 44 runs and, even in the ongoing National T20 Cup, he has struggled with the bat and has scored just 160 runs in six matches.

Young Ruman, however, has been putting in impressive performance in the domestic cricket for a few seasons. He is left-arm bowler who is quite likely to make his international debut against the West Indies.

Other than Umar’s induction, the batting order remains the same as it was against England with Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan all featuring in the squad. Experienced Shoaib Malik along with talented Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz are there as all-rounders while young Hassan Ali, along with seasoned campaigner Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Aamir and Sohail Tanvir are the four pacers in the team.

“The team has been finalized by Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and the national selection committee after consultations with the Pakistan team head coach and the T20 Captain,” a PCB press release said. “The Pakistan team will face World Champions West Indies in a three match T20 series starting with back to back fixtures at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on the 23rd and 24th of September, while the third T20 will be played on Sept 27th in Abu Dhabi,” the press release added.

T20 Squad: Sarfraz Ahmad (captain), Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Muhammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Muhammad Nawaz, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Saad Nasim, Ruman Raees.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2016