Pakistan recall Malik, Sami for Zimbabwe ODIs

E-Paper | April 28, 2026

LAHORE: Former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Mohammad Sami have been recalled to the Pakistan one-day squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe starting on Tuesday.

Malik, 33, played the last of his 216 one-dayers in the 2013 Champions Trophy against India and 34-year-old Sami has not been part of an ODI squad since June 2012.

Both were part of the Twenty20 squad that sealed a 2-0 series win over Zimbabwe on Sunday as Pakistan welcomed top-level international cricket back to the country after a six-year absence after militants attacked a Sri Lanka team bus in 2009.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was left out for the matches at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also remained optimistic of playing arch-rivals India in a full series in the United Arab Emirates or any other mutually agreed venue in December.

“PCB is now expecting the government of India's permission for the revival of the series in the near future particularly after [Indian] Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public indication that his government would support the revival of the cricket series,” the PCB said in a statement.

ODI squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Junaid Khan.

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last comment

May 25, 2015 11:31am

I don't see vice captain category which means we have no succession planning for future

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Sultan Alvi, Canada

May 25, 2015 11:50am

Why Mukhtar has not been given a chance in here?

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Expatriate

May 25, 2015 11:50am

In my opinion Shahid Afridi has reached his potential. His bowling is finished. As for his batting, the less said the better. Instead of indulging in reckless shots, he should stay at the wicket, rotating the strike, guiding the other batsman and finishing the game. Only sixes are not there, he should also keep the score board ticking with single and twos. I don't think on current form he deserves to be in the team. We need to search for a new T20 captain.

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Blue Saffron

May 25, 2015 11:50am

Babar Azam and Hammad Azam should be played.

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syed wasim haider

May 25, 2015 12:09pm

Why Shoaib Malik is given so many chances? It seems exit of Sarfaraz is on the way. Should Mukhtar wait for another 4 years to be considered for ODI team. Mukhtar is a better choice than Shoaib for sure.

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There is hope

May 25, 2015 12:27pm

Good inclusions! Although Malik still has a lot to prove with the bat, but he bowled extremely well - choked runs took crucial wickets. We should play him as a regular spinning all rounder.

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Jawaid

May 25, 2015 12:29pm

I think Shoaib Malik has no place in the present Pakistan's ODI team.He has played his innings and should make way for youngsters like Mukhtar,Nauman etc.Limited overs cricket format is for the young blood.Shoaib's performance in the recent T20 was below par.I don't know what makes him tick.

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Ahsan

May 25, 2015 12:43pm

We have far too many accumulators again, we should have included more power hitters to come lower down the order in the face of mukhtar ahmed/nuaman Anwar in the squad. Should have also blooded in new pacers who know how to ball yorkers and discipline.

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zem

May 25, 2015 01:24pm

Dear Respected (?)PCB u forget M.Ahmed Performance?Bcos of him Pakistan won 2 20 matchs n he ignored?Excellent!!!!

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Ali

May 25, 2015 01:35pm

Fawad Alam? Why not? At 2 down position he can bring stability to the order.

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Mujtaba

May 25, 2015 01:58pm

Where is mukthar ahmed??

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Shahid

May 25, 2015 02:01pm

Defensive mentality of selectors who themselves belong to cricket of the last century. It is time to select Nauman Anwer and Mukhtar Ahmed in ODIs and leave Asad Shafiq out. And yes why is Sami Aslam not there?

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Imtiaz

May 25, 2015 02:16pm

Are we preparing for 2019 World Cup or 2007 World Cup by including Sami & Shoaib?

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Zahid Haroon

May 25, 2015 02:34pm

Dear all who commented below. I remind you that it was Afridi's team. Now since waqar younus will impose is personal likeness in team. First of all, if Azhar Ali is justifying his position? shoaib malik why given so many chances? Mukhtar Ahmed not included in ODI. Now you will see playing eleven and than also so many questions will raise. Sarfraz and Yasir will not be given chances. Ooops God bless you Pakistan Cricket.

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Umair

May 25, 2015 03:10pm

back to the past.

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Sheraz

May 25, 2015 04:03pm

Who is at the back of Shoaib Malik?

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Naveed,USA

May 25, 2015 04:47pm

@syed wasim haider On the basis of two performances you want to induct Mukhtar in odi team? In other words,you don't want him to work a little harder and get matured. Many players like him were given chances in the past immediately, what they did later.

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May 25, 2015 04:49pm

Same pacers except junaid, I thought their performance was sub par.Leaving the best batsman of 20 over series defies logic. But who said logic reigns supreme ?

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May 25, 2015 04:53pm

And the cycle of garbage has started again. The "Young" captain is more old of the same

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

May 25, 2015 05:01pm

Shoaib Malik based on what performance? Misbah and Afridi are 100 times better players and cricketers then him and we forced them to retire with our pathetic logic of looking towards yongsters. Is Shoaib Malik a yongster? Is he the future of Pakistan Cricket?

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M. Siddique

May 25, 2015 05:13pm

Did PCB see Malik's performance in T20 or they are brain dead. Malik should retire from Cricket.

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dawn

May 25, 2015 05:21pm

After 2 T20s I am sure PCB realizes the mistake it made (with these two)?

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tariq

May 25, 2015 05:31pm

Seems like Pak cricket is in reverse gear

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Sarah

May 25, 2015 06:33pm

Why Man of Series Mukhtar Ahmed should not be in team? It is shocker.

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Adnan

May 25, 2015 06:56pm

Where is Umar Akmal? These selectors are totally out of their minds. Mukhtar, Nauman Anwer and Umar Akmal are the future of modern day Pakistan team. Revival of Pakistan team will not start until the mentality of playing Asad Shafiq and Hafeez continues. One is at loss to understand that Umar with an average of 35 and strike rate of 85 is not good enough but Asad Shafiq with an average of 24 and strike rate of 70 is the prefered choice. These choices of theirs may not bounce back to haunt them as the opposition is weak but soon it will be end of the story for Waqar and Haroon when they play a major team.

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optimist

May 25, 2015 09:04pm

I remember 2003 WC when both Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Malik were in their peak form. Both were not selected for even one match by Waqar Younus who was the captain. The captain Waqar bowled Pakistan to defeat against India by giving 83 runs in 8 overs in a close fought match when Saeed Anwar scored a brilliant century. Waqar Younus WC performance is like a night mare, he poor performance as coach and player has destroyed Pakistan cricket and continues to do so. Mr. Shaharyar Khan, please listen to this loud and clear. " If Waqar Younus continues to be the coach Pakistan will not qualify for the Champions Trophy.

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Ikram Ellahi Dubai

May 26, 2015 04:14am

Shohaib Malik does not deserve place in T20 & ODI due to his poor performance in recent T20 has achieved and given him lot of chance, a young player to be grown in ODI for furtures.

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Mohammed Munaf

May 26, 2015 04:15am

No place for Malik.

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BEREALISTIC

May 26, 2015 09:30am

@There is hope Shoeb Malik has no place in the Pak Team. It's better to give chance to a younger player than repeatedly trying old horses.

Recommend 0

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