ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Kamran Akmal Set To Face The Axe For The Tournament
Feb 9, 2019 at 3:20 PM
Senior Pakistan batsman Kamran Akmal is unlikely to be a part of the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy after his dismal batting performance in the recently concluded One-Day International series against the West Indies.
The 35-year old batsman had got an opportunity to strengthen his claim for a regular spot in the team after a string of good performances in the domestic first-class season and the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League. However, the opening batsman squandered it completely.
In the three-match series in the Caribbeans, Akmal registered scores of 47, 21 and 0 and as per reports in The Express Tribune, the selectors are planning to drop him for the 50-over tournament that begins on June 1 in England.
The report also claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee, headed by Inzamamul Haq, is considering bringing former ODI skipper Azhar Ali to open the innings with Ahmad Shahzad.
Umar Akmal, Kamran’s brother, meanwhile, is in the reckoning for a berth in the squad even after missing the West Indies tour because of poor fitness.
Inzamamul Haq, meanwhile, has said the selection committee would take some more days before announcing the squad as they are observing a few players in the ongoing domestic one-day tournament, the Pakistan Cup.
“We are planning to wait a few more days before announcing the final squad for the Champions Trophy as we want to observe some players’ performances in the ongoing domestic one-day cup. Aamer Yamin and a few others players are performing well in this cup and it will be unfair on them if we announced the team early. April 25 is the last day to submit the final squad to the ICC and we will announce the squad before that,” said Inzamam.
The Men in Green would begin their campaign against arch-rivals India on June 4.
Here is Pakistan’s probable squad for the ICC Champions Trophy:
Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Fakhar Zaman, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fahim Ashraf/Aamir Yamin, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan.