On Friday, Pakistan selectors rewarded the Quetta Gladiators’ right-hander for being one of the shining lights of his team in the Pakistan Super League.
Azam Khan is a hard-hitting batsman, with a career T20 strike-rate above 157, whose inclusion adds more depth to Pakistan’s T20I squad as they build towards the T20 World Cup later in the year.
Pakistan have also recalled Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah to the Test squad for the series in the Caribbean and brought back Imad Wasim and Haris Sohail for T20Is and ODIs, respectively.
“We have remained consistent in our selection and kept the same core of cricketers who have been in the set-up for a while,”
said Chief selector Muhammad Wasim in a media release, stating how the selection is important for Pakistan’s goals across formats.
The ODI series in England and the Tests against West Indies are part of their campaigns in the ICC Super League and next World Test Championship cycle.
“As such, keeping in view the above and in consultation with captain Babar Azam and head Misbah-ul-Haq, we have tried our best to maintain the winning combinations but at the same time recalled four experienced players and rewarded uncapped Azam Khan for his domestic performance, while also giving him the required confidence for the future challenges,”
Wasim added.
Both first-choice Test quicks – Abbas and Naseem – were dropped from the side after disappointing performances on the tour of New Zealand earlier in the year. But they’re back for the two-Test series versus West Indies after attaining “required fitness standards” and, in Abbas’ case, for also showing excellent form in first-class cricket in the County Championship in the UK.
“Mohammad Abbas has regained his form, Naseem Shah and Haris Sohail have reclaimed the required fitness standards, while Imad Wasim has been recalled considering the T20 World Cup is likely to be held in the UAE and he enjoys an excellent record there.
The return of these four players meant we had to leave some players, which is never an easy decision. But we have collectively opted for what was in the best interest of the side.”
said Wasim.
Wasim also informed that Yasir Shah’s re-inclusion into the Test squad is “subject to clearing his fitness test” after the wrist-spinner missed the recent series in Zimbabwe due to a knee injury.
“He (Yasir) was sidelined due to a knee injury after the second Test against South Africa earlier this year and was expected to reclaim complete fitness for the West Indies tour. It, however, has not been the case, but we remain hopeful that he will complete his rehabilitation before the departure.”
For the Test squad, Pakistan have retained left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and fellow tweakers Zahid Mahmood, Sajid Khan and given uncapped batsman Saud Shakeel a nod. Shakeel is also part of the ODI squad for the England series. A prolific run-scorer at the domestic level, the 25-year-old left-hand batter could’ve been included earlier as well for the tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe but missed out due to a Grade-1 quadriceps tear.
Pakistan will play three ODIs and three T20Is on their tour of England, with the ODIs to be played on July 8 (Cardiff), London (July 10) and July 13 (Edgbaston) and T20Is on July 16 (Trent Bridge), July 18 (Headingley) and July 20 (Manchester), respectively.
In the Caribbean, Pakistan will play five T20Is, starting July 27 in Barbados, which will also host the second T20I on July 28. Guyana will be the destination for the next three T20Is on July 31, August 1 and 3, respectively. The two Tests will both be played in Jamaica from August 12-16 and August 20-24.
