LAHORE: Kamran Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad have succeeded in winning back their places in Pakistan’s One-day International and Twenty20 squads for the West Indies tour while Azhar Ali faced the axe.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for four T20 matches and a 16-man squad for three ODIs.

The T20 series is starting in Bridgetown on March 26 while the ODI series will begin on April 7 in Guyana.

Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal is the only player who could not find a place after failing to pass the fitness test.

Both Kamran and Shehzad have worked really hard to get back their places. Kamran has constantly been scoring runs after the 2014 World T20. He also won the best batsman, best player and best wicket-keeper awards at the recently concluded Pakistan Super League while playing for Peshawar Zalmi.

Similarly, Shehzad, who was dropped after the World T20 in 2016 for under par performance and indiscipline, nudged selectors to give him another chance.

Azhar Ali axed; uncapped quartet named

He has hit three centuries in the National One-day Cup and aggregated 653 runs at an excellent average of 93.28.

While playing for Quetta Gladiators at PSL 2, he amassed 242 runs, helping them qualify for the final.

Azhar, who was made the captain of the ODI team after the 2015 World Cup, played 31 matches since then, scoring 1,153 runs at an average of 37.19 with three centuries and five fifties.

He stepped down as skipper after disappointing tours of New Zealand and Australia.

“Azhar is still a part of our long-term plan and he may be recalled for the ICC Champions Trophy in England because of tough conditions,” Inzamam said.

“This time, we want to test potential of new faces,” he added.

About Umar Akmal, the chief selector said the middle-order batsman could not pass the fitness test although it was not a tough one.

When asked why the top wicket-taker of the PSL, Sohail Khan, was ignored and Shadab Khan was selected, Inzamam said they wanted to test young players in Caribbean.

About Kamran Akmal, Inzamam said he was selected as a batsman but he could be used as wicket-keeper if need arose.

He added that paceman Mohammad Amir was rested from the T20 squad so that he could perform with full potential in the ODI series, which was very important for Pakistan to either maintain or improve its current ranking of 8th in order to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in England.

About inclusion of a good number of youngsters in the squad, the selector said, “The West Indies is not as strong as it was not about ten years ago. Therefore, this is a good opportunity for us to try new players. They can even beat the Windies.”

Meanwhile, uncapped players like leg-spinner Shadab Khan from Mianwali and left-handed batsman Fakhar Zaman from Mardan are picked for both series.

Right-handed batsman Asif Zakir, right-arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman from Kasur Faheem Ashraf are selected in the ODI squad.

Rumman Raees, who was dropped after playing one T20 match against the West Indies in 2016, and pacer Usman Khan Shinawari from Khyber Agency, who played two T20 matches against Sri Lanka in 2013, received second chances.

About new players, Inzamam said, “I have full faith in them that is why they are selected. I believe they all will deliver in West Indian conditions.”

In the T20 squad, besides Kamran and Shehzad, the batting line has batsmen like Mohammad Hafeez, captain Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, fast improving Babar Azam and debutant Fakhar Zaman.

In fast bowling, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Hassan Ali, Rumman and Usman Khan will try to deliver.

Hafeez and Shoaib will share responsibilities with Immad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan in the spin bowling department.

But in the ODI team, Asif Zakir is included to strengthen the batting line-up.

In the fast bowling department, pacers Junaid Khan, Amir, debutant Fahim Ashraf along with Hassan Ali and Wahab Riaz are available.

The main responsibility in the spin-bowling department is on Immad, Hafeez and Shoaib, as Shadab and Asghar are newcomers.

Squads:

Twenty20: Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wicket-keeper), Immad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hassan Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari.

ODI: Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Baber Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Zakir, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wicket-keeper), Immad Wasim, Shadab khan, Hassan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Fahim Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2017