Sami, Malik named in Pakistan ODI squad

Sport360 staff 18:06 25/05/2015
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  • Bowler Mohammad Sami has not been part of a Pakistan ODI squad since 2012.

    Fast-bowler Mohammad Sami will continue his comeback after being named alongside Shoaib Malik and Ahmed Shahzad in Pakistan's 16-man ODI squad to take on Zimbabwe.

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    Sami took four wickets in the T20 series and bowled with plenty of pace, convincing the selectors to stick with him in the absence of injured Mohammad Irfan.

    Malik too was selected for the limited overs series despite failing to make any significant impact in the earlier matches with bat or ball.

    However opener Shahzad rediscovered his best form against Zimbabwe after being axed from Pakistan's Test and ODI squads after the World Cup. Along with T20 series star Mukhtar Ahmed, Shahzad consistently gave the team a solid start to the innings, which provided the rest of the Pakistan batsmen with the confidence to chase down big totals.

    Despite claiming consecutive man of the match awards Mukhtar was controversially snubbed by the PCB selectors, who do not want to rush him into ODI cricket and hinder his T20 form.

    Pakistan's search for a genuine all-rounder continues with two new candidates in Hammad Azam and Immad Wasim selected to provide some competition for incumbent Anwar Ali. The ability to select another bowling option could prove key in the 50-over format.

    Elsewhere, Immad Wasim and young batsman Babar Azam received maiden ODI call-ups, with Pakistan captain Azhar Ali excited to play at home for the first time and lead his nation.

    "You can't wish for a better return playing at home and leading Pakistan," Azhar said to Sport360. "We're eager to make up for the ODI whitewash against Bangladesh and hopefully we can put up a solid show for our fans."
     

    Pakistan ODI quad: Azhar Ali (Captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sami, Hammad Azam, Immad Wasim, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

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