Azhar Ali Out Of ODI Series; Imam-Ul-Haq breaks into the 15-Man Squad against Sri Lanka

Oct 6, 2017 at 4:58 PM

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Azhar Ali Out Of ODI Series; Imam-Ul-Haq breaks into the 15-Man Squad against Sri Lanka

Former skipper Azhar Ali has been rested for the upcoming five-match One-day international series which will kick start on October 13 at Dubai International Stadium in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) national Chief Selector Inzamam-Ul-Haq has announced the 15-member squad for the bilateral series against Sri Lanka.

The 47-year-old Multan-born Inzamam has already briefed the media gathering at National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, before naming the squad.

“The Champions Trophy team has been retained,” former skipper Inzamam was quoted as saying PCB’s release.

The 32-year-old Lahore-born makeshift opener Ali has been asked to take rest following the rigorous schedule in the recent past which has eventually taken a toll on his body.

Moreover, the other substantial reason of axing Ali for the ODI series could be the promising batsman struggling with his knee injury.

The reports suggested Ali is featuring in the ongoing day and night Test after having injections.

Azhar has represented Pakistan in 50 ODIs in which he has amassed 1,833 runs at an average of 39 which further saw him posting three hundreds and 12 half-centuries.

However, Azhar was relinquished from 50-over captaincy earlier this year, as the performance of Pakistan was miserable in the One-day format.

As of now, both Pakistan-Lanka are concurrently participating in the two-match Test series which further has had saw the Lankans having an unassailable lead of 1-0.

The dramatic batting collapse in the first Test handed Lions a 21-run victory in Abu Dhabi after Rangana Herath’s remarkable show with the ball on day five.

Interestingly, PCB has shown complete faith in the members of the side which has brought the maiden ICC Champions Trophy title to Pakistan in June, this year after winning the final convincingly against arch-rivals India.

Imam has represented Lahore Lions in the domestic competition. Photo Credit: ICC.

(Read Also: Pakistan Cricketer Shahid Afridi Declares Himself Fit To Play in PSL)

The senior campaigner Ali was replaced by promising youngster Imam-Ul-Haq, who has had enjoyed satisfactory performances in the domestic circuit.

The 21-year-old Lahore-born left-handed batsman Imam was inducted into the squad following his spectacular show in the domestic set-up particularly in the first-class and List-A fixtures respectively.

“His performance in the domestic circuit and to give a chance to a youngster in the home conditions,” Inzamam maintained.

Known for playing quality strokes, Imam, who’s the nephew of Inzamam is averaging 36.08 in 24 List-A fixtures after smashing solitary hundred and six fifties.

Moreover, the debutant Imam has featured in 31 four-day fixtures in which he scored 1,744 at an average of 37.40.

He has also played 21 T20 in which he amassed 566 runs at an average of 40.42.

In the first-class set-up, Imam has represented Habib Bank while being the part of the Under-23 side of Pakistan side:

Here’s the list of 15-men ODI Squad for Pakistan:

Sarfraz Ahmed (Skipper/Wk), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, and Imam-Ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Shahdab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammed Amir, Ruman Raees and Junaid Khan.

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