Pakistan recalled star spinner Saeed Ajmal in all three formats as selectors announced the squads for the national side’s Bangladesh tour yesterday, but there was no place on the plane for under-performing batsman Umar Akmal.
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Ajmal has undergone remedial work to fix his bowling action after it was ruled illegal in September and he was suspended, forcing him out of last month’s World Cup.
The 37-year-old had been key to Pakistan’s success in Tests, oneday internationals and Twenty20 matches before his action was reported as suspect during Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in August last year.
Pakistan’s new selection committee, headed by former batsman Haroon Rasheed, warned the squads that discipline will be closely watched.
Great to see talented youngsters like Babar Azam and Sami Aslam being given a chance in the Pakistan Test squad. Well deserved. #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) April 3, 2015
“We have told the players that Pakistan comes first,” said Rasheed. “There will be no compromise on discipline and that’s why we have dropped Umar from all formats and Ahmed Shehzad from two.”
Head coach Waqar Younis had complained about Shehzad and Umar’s lack of discipline during Pakistan’s World Cup campaign, which ended in a quarter-final defeat to Australia. Umar managed just 164 runs in seven matches while Shehzad scored 222 in as many games.
Spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez also returns to all three formats after missing the World Cup with a calf injury. He too has suffered problems with his action, which was ruled illegal in December, and faces a re-test on April 9 to try to get clearance to play.
The one-day squad will be captained by Azhar Ali, replacing the now retired Misbah-ul-Haq. Misbah continues to lead the Test side while Shahid Afridi, who also retired from one-day cricket after the World Cup, will captain the Twenty20 side.
Pakistan will play two Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 on the Bangladesh tour, with the first one-dayer starting on April 17.
Fit-again pacemen Junaid Khan returns to the Test and Twenty20 squads while Umar Gul manages a Twenty20 berth. Also dropped from the World Cup squad were Younis Khan and opener Nasir Jamshed, who both had disappointing tournaments, and paceman Mohammad Irfan, who is injured.
