Azam Khan, son of former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Moin Khan, earned his maiden international call-up because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday introduced the squad for the upcoming excursions of England and West Indies.
Azam, who regardless of being on the selectors radar due to his six-hitting prowess, was adviced to shed his almost 130-kilo weight. As per a report in information company AFP, the 22-year-old minimize down nearly 30 kilos to earn his place.
Azam, who options for Quetta Gladitors within the Pakistan Super League, boasts of a strike price of 157 from 36 home T20 matches. However, the 22-year-old stays the shock choose for the upcoming excursions as he has performed only one top notch match.
Meanwhile, the selectors additionally recalled Imad Wasim for the three T20 matches in England and 5 within the West Indies apart from Haris Sohail for the three ODIs in England.
Pace bowlers Muhammad Abbas and Naseem Shah have additionally gained again spots within the Test squad that may play two video games towards the West Indies in Jamaica. Both Abbas and Naseem have been ignored for the current two Tests performed in Zimbabwe.
The selectors have additionally stored the seasoned leg-spinner Yasir Shah for the 2 Tests however his ultimate choice is topic to his passing a health check as he was additionally ignored for the Zimbabwe tour due to a knee harm.
Pakistan have additionally dropped pacer Tabish Khan after awarding him a Test cap in Zimbabwe. He is the one casualty from the Zimbabwe tour.
Pakistan will play three ODIs and as many T20Is in England from July 8-20, earlier than taking up world champions West Indies in 5 T20s that shall be adopted by two Tests.
Chief selector Muhammad Wasim mentioned they tried to stay constant of their choice.
“This is an especially necessary and demanding tour for Pakistan as we shall be taking part in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs towards England in addition to the T20Is towards England and the West Indies as a part of our preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
“The Jamaica Test will count towards the ICC World Test Championship,” he mentioned.
“…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.”
Squads:
Tests: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-capt, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali Azhar Ali , Faheem Ashraf , Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah (topic to health), Zahid Mahmood.
ODIs: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir.
T20Is: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Arshad Iqbal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Usman Qadir.
– with PTI inputs
