Pakistan recall Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad as Sri Lanka series hangs in doubt
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Pakistan’s chief selector and head coach Misbah-ul-Haq confirmed that batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal have been recalled into the probables squad for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. However, whether the series will take place or not is yet to be confirmed.
Pakistan is due to play three ODIs (in Karachi) and three T20Is (in Lahore) against Sri Lanka from September 27 until October 9. With senior players Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik set to feature in the Caribbean Premier League, both the previously out-of-favour batsmen has been named among the probables. The series is the first assignment for Misbah and his coaching staff.
However, as things stand, the tour is yet to be confirmed as several key Sri Lankan players, including Lasith Malinga, have expressed a lack of interest to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. According to PTI, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to send its own independent security advisor to Karachi and Lahore to review the situation before deciding whether to appoint match officials for the series.
Meanwhile, Misbah has called young fast bowler Muhammad Hasnain from the CPL for the series. Initially, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had allowed him to skip the conditioning camp in Lahore to play in the T20 league.
The Probables: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Ahmed Shehzad, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Hasnain, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz.
