KARACHI, Aug 13: Former captain Younis Khan and senior fast bowler Umar Gul were the notable omissions on Monday from the Pakistan squad announced for the forthcoming One-day International against Australia in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Kamran Akmal, the experienced wicket-keeper/batsman, and ex-skipper Shoaib Malik have both been recalled to the 16-man squad for the three-match series against the top-ranked Australia.

Both Younis and Umar Gul looked out of sorts during Pakistan’s 4-1 defeat in the ODI series during their tour of Sri Lanka recently. Younis made just 10 runs in the first four matches before being axed for the last one while Umar claimed only four wickets in five matches.

Iqbal Qasim, the chairman of the national selection committee, however insisted that Younis remains in the selectors’ frame for future selection in the ODI side.

“Honestly speaking, Younis still has a lot to offer for Pakistan cricket. His track record is still impressive. It is just that he hasn’t been in the best form in recent matches. We think it is the appropriate time to rest Younis and give him time to refocus because there are big matches coming up later [this year],” Iqbal told Dawn.

Iqbal was equally sympathetic towards Umar Gul and hoped the paceman finds his rhythm soon.

“Umar would himself admit that he is clearly lacking rhythm and the control which has been his strength. A much-needed break was necessary for him to get back into form,” he said.

The chief selector said the selection of Kamran and Malik was justified as the team needed experience to balance the side. Kamran has already been picked in the 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka next month.

“It is fair that Kamran should be part of the one-day squad as well since he has been cleared for selection by the PCB [integrity committee] which was the only issue hindering his comeback into the national team,” Iqbal said.

“Malik is the obvious choice to beef up the middle-order which needs experienced hands in bad times. The recent games in Sri Lanka were glaring examples where the batting more than bowling let the team down.”

The chief selector believed the inclusion of relatively untried Anwar Ali was long overdue. “If you look at his CV, it’s quite impressive since the poor fellow has been on many tours with the second-string Pakistan teams. He is a hardworking pace bowler who deserves a chance now.”

Iqbal admitted that Pakistan may lack in experience in the pace bowling department but the conditions in the UAE would be extremely tough for both teams. “The hot conditions in those places would definitely take a lot out of the fast bowlers on both sides. The absence of Umar would matter somewhat but we have gone for experience in the shape of Aizaz Cheema and Sohail Tanvir. The fine performance of Junaid Khan in the testing environment of Sri Lanka is a good sign for Pakistan,” Iqbal concluded.

The one-day series against Australia starts on Aug 28 in Sharjah, with the second game in Abu Dhabi on Aug 31 before the last tie in Sharjah on Sept 3. The teams will then square off in a three-match Twenty20 International in Dubai from Sep 5 to 10.

Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez (vice-captain), Nasir Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Imran Farhat, Aizaz Cheema, Shoaib Malik, Junaid Khan, Anwar Ali.