LAHORE: The national selection committee on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad led by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held from June 1 to 18 in England and Wales.

While former ODI captain Azhar Ali has been recalled having dropped him from the ODI series against the West Indies, debatable decision with regard to Akmal brothers has been taken in shape of Umar Akmal’s induction and Kamran Akmal’s exclusion from the squad.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Kamran was inducted into the national side for the West Indies tour after a gap of six years but he failed to impress on the tour with the opener scoring only 68 runs in three ODIs against the West Indies.

On the other hand, much as opener Ahmed Shehzad who was inducted into the national outfit after two years gave Kamran-like performance in the West Indies ODIs, scoring only 75 runs in three ODIs with 67 runs being his highest, he succeeded in retaining his place in the ODI squad.

Orthodox left-arm spinner Moham­mad Asghar who was neither given any chance on the Australia tour nor against the West Indies in any format has also been shown the door by the selectors.

However, young batsman Fakhar Zaman and promising bowling all-rounder Fahim Ashraf without playing any international match against the West Indies managed to secure their places in the Champions Trophy squad.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq quoted by a PCB press release defended his selection, stating: “The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in domestic and international tours.

“Azhar is making his comeback in the team considering his good track record in English conditions whereas Umar also makes a comeback after bringing considerable improvement in his fitness and his performance in the ongoing Pakistan Cup.

“Young Shadab Khan and Fahim are retained in the side to give the team a variety in the shape of spin and fast bowling all-rounders, respectively.

“The Sarfraz-led side will play warm-up matches against Bangladesh (May 27 and Australia May 29 at Edgbaston) before taking on India in its opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston on June 4, 2017,” it further said.

Much as chief selector Inzamam might have his own reasons to induct Umar into the national ODI side, his hint at Umar’s supposed performance in the Pakistan Cup may easily be questioned.

Umar who has a poor disciplinary record played three matches in the said event held in Rawalpindi and scored just 77 runs certainly not enough to make him the ultimate choice for selectors.

On the other hand, Azhar’s recall makes sense. Though he could not click as ODI captain, his batting performance was enough to catch selectors eye for the Champions Trophy.

Kamran was picked in place of Azhar but it seems the selectors soon realized their mistake.

Moreover, top-scorers for Pakistan in the ODI series against the West Indies Mohammad Hafeez (201 runs in three matches) Shoaib Malik (163 runs with a century) and Babar Azam (154 runs with a century) justified their selection.

In the bowling department, pacer Wahab Riaz again succeeded in getting selectors’ nod. Against the West Indies he played only the first ODI conceding 69 runs to claim only one wicket.

Top wicket-taker Hasan Ali (six wickets, average 18.33), Mohammad Amir (five wickets, average 27.20), debutant Shadab Khan (five wickets, average 29.80) and most expensive Imad Wasim (one wicket, averages 74.00) who is a batting all-rounder all retained their places.

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Fahim Ashraf.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017