LAHORE: In a highly surprising and unjustifiable move, the national selectors recalled out of form middle-order batsman Umar Akmal to the 15-member T20 squad while retaining all-rounders Sohail Tanvir and Anwar Ali without any prominent performance to their credit on Wednesday.

Akmal had been dropped from the squad along with Ahmed Shehzad for indiscipline at this year’s World Cup. The former scored 164 runs in seven matches at a mediocre average of 27.33 besides dropping a number of crucial catches and missing stumps behind the wickets at the mega event before Sarfraz Ahmed took over as the wicket-keeper.

The junior Akmal is still not performing as he has so far scored only 49 megre runs in seven matches at the ongoing Caribbean League.

Similarly, Sohail Tanvir could not impress anyone with his performance as an all-rounder. His statistics show that he has played 43 matches so far, scoring 148 runs at an average of 9.86 and taking 36 wickets.

He also took part in the same Caribbean League but once again failed to prove himself as a reliable all-rou­nder, scoring only 46 runs in seven matches and taking seven wickets.

Selection of Sohail, Anwar raises many eyebrows

Anwar’s record as an all-rounder is also ordinary as he has played nine T20 matches, taking three wickets with no prominent knock with the bat.

All-rounder Bilal Asif, who was picked for the five One-day International matches against Sri Lanka but was never given a chance to play, is not included in the squad.

He is another example of many Pakistani cricketers who are overlooked without being tested.

Lanky paceman Irfan has retained his place in the T20 side after regaining place in the ongoing ODI series.

He went out of international cricket after the World Cup on injury grounds.

The selectors have also included injured fast bowler Wahab Riaz, provided he clears the medical test.

If Wahab fails the test, uncapped medium-fast bowler Zia-ul-Haq will be given a chance.

Meanwhile, chief selector Haroon Rashid in a press statement says: “Wahab Riaz is expected to bowl from July 24 after recovering from a hand injury sustained during the Test series against Sri Lanka.

“He will bowl under the supervision of NCA coaches and would be included in the squad upon clearance that he is injury free and bowling to their satisfaction, otherwise Zia-ul-Haq — a budding young fast bowler having toured recently with Pakistan ‘A’ — would take his place in the team.

“Ziaul Haq has impressed with his pace and control during that tour and also doing well at the domestic circuit.

“Haris Sohail and Sohaib Maqsood are still going through their rehab process and are expected to be available for selection for the (upcoming) Zimbabwe series.

“Selection committee after monitoring the performance of Pakistani players appearing in various T20 leagues in the UK and the West Indies has decided to include Sohail Tanvir in the T20 squad.

“The team management also recommended for his inclusion keeping in view his experience of T20 cricket.

“Yasir Shah has emerged as a strike bowler who takes wickets, and in T20 cricket a bowler having this ability is a big plus. That is why he has been included to strengthen the bowling department.”

Both the T20 matches will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 30 and Aug 1.

Squad:

Ahmed Shehzad, Nauman Anwar, Mohammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Shahid Afridi (captain), Sarfraz Ahmed (vice-captain), Yasir Shah, Sohail Tanvir, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz/Zia-ul-Haq.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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