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LAHORE: Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan were overlooked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as it announced a 16-man squad for the one-day-international (ODI) and Twenty20 series against England on Tuesday.
Shahid Afridi was retained as the ODI and Twenty20 captain while Mohammad Yousuf, who recently came out of retirement to play the third Test against England, has also been named in the squad.
Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar also makes his return to the side and Wahab Riaz, who impressed on his Test debut at the Oval, is also part of the squad.
Meanwhile, Malik, who was brought back into the squad for the Asia Cup and the Twenty20 matches against Australia after his one-year ban was overturned has been dropped from the side on the back of poor performances in the Test series.
Reports suggested PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt might give the go-ahead for the inclusion of Younis Khan in the ODI and T20 squad but the former captain was overlooked by chief selector Mohsin Hasan Khan.
“We want to give ample chances to the young players who have been performing well at domestic level,” Mohsin told the media while announcing the squad.
“Our aim is to build a nucleus of good players, which includes experienced players and youngsters, so that we have a winning combination for the World Cup.”
Wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider, who impressed on his Test debut as he replaced Kamran Akmal for the Edgbaston Test, missed out on a place with a finger injury. Karachi-based ‘keeper Sarfraz Ahmed has meanwhile, been named in the reserve-player list, which also includes off-spinner Abdur Rehman, batsman Asad Shafiq and towering fast bowler Mohammad Irfan.
Pakistan ODI and Twenty20 Squad for England tour: Shahid Afridi (captain), Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Salman Butt, Shahzaib Hassan, Mohammad Yousuf, Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Wahab Riaz
Reserve players: Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan, Abdur Rehman
- Dawn.com Sports Desk
