After the good news for cricket fans in Pakistan about the home series against Zimbabwe after 6 years, the fans have even more good news in respect with the selection of the team for the three match series against Zimbabwe.
The PCB announced the 16 man squad to take on the team from Zimbabwe. The team had a similar ring to it except a comeback for two players. The PCB has given the forgotten Shoaib Malik a chance to prove himself. They have also recalled Mohammad Sami who has been in good form in the T20 matches against Zimbabwe.
Although Ahmed Shehzad who was dropped out of the team earlier due to an issue with his attitude and discipline he was recalled but Umar Akmal who has been in poor form had to miss out on playing the series. The 3-0 whitewash against Bangladesh is the reason for calling back the experienced players like Malik and Sami said a source. However Malik failed to impress in the ongoing T20 series not scoring more than 7 runs in both the games.
Anwar Ali the skipper of the team is given more chances after the Bangladesh debacle but Saeed Ajmal who was cleared to bowl in international cricket is not able to find a place in the squad with his new action believed to be easier to play. The left arm spinner Imad Wasim is given his first chance while Hammad Azam a forgotten all-rounder gets his place back in the team after 3 years.
Pakistan squad:
Azhar Ali (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Imad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Junaid Khan.