Pakistan have announced a strong T20 squad to take on Zimbabwe in what will be the first series in Pakistan since 2009 as former skipper Shoaib Malik, middle-order batsman Umar Akmal and pacer Mohammad Sami all return to the side.
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The national selection committee led by Haroon Rasheed was impressed the performances of Malik and Sami in the domestic Super8 T20 competition, while Umar was one of the standout batsmen.
Selectors have also recalled all-rounders Hammad Azam and Anwar Ali to improve the depth of the team, while Bilawal Bhatti adds an alternative option as an all-rounder.
Swashbuckling opener Noman Anwar has been rewarded for his domestic displays with a first call-up to the national side, while Immad Wasim moves up from the Pakistan A squad.
“We’ve tried to improve the depth of the squad which is why the seniors have been called back,” Rasheed told Sport360.
After six years #CricketComesHome to Pakistan #PAKvZIM @ZimCricketv pic.twitter.com/xPpfGIKgEC
— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 18, 2015
“Malik and Sami looked in good shape and touch which is why they have been brought back while we’ve got high expectations from rookie Noman Anwar let’s see how he progresses if given the chance by team management.”
Both T20Is against Zimbabwe will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on May 22 and 24.
Full squad: Shahid Afridi (c), Sarfaraz Ahmed (vc-wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Noman Anwar, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Immad Wasim, Bilawal Bhatti, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami
