The National Selection Committee headed by Inzamam ul Haq—after consultation with Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur—has announced the 15-member T20 squad for, both, the triangular series involving Australia, Zimbabwe and Pakistan and also the subsequent five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.
The triangular series will take place from July 1 to July 8, 2018, whereas the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will commence from July 13, 2018. The ODIs have been scheduled at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on July 13, 16, 18, 20 and 22, 2018, respectively.
Young opener Sahibzada Farhan has been picked up instead of Ahmed Shehzad on the back of his good performances in the domestic circuit. Farhan is also part of Islamabad United squad in Pakistan Super League.
“Sahibzada Farhan has been selected in the T20I squad, whereas Mohammad Hafeez is selected in both T-20I and ODI squad," said chief selector Inzamam ul Haq. "Hafeez will be available for the team as an all-rounder after his bowling action was cleared.”
Regarding middle order batsman Babar Azam, Inzamam said: “Azam was not considered for T20s because of his injured forearm but it is hoped that he would be fit for ODIs.”
He added: “Asif Ali has been included in the ODI squad to strengthen the lower middle order while Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah make a comeback in the ODI squad after successfully recovering from injury.
Pakistan team camp will take place from June 25 to 27, 2018 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The team will depart for Zimbabwe on June 28, 2018.
T-20 squad for Triangular Series
Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain – wk), Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Muhammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sahibzada Farhan.
ODI Squad
Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Baber Azam (Subject to Fitness),Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain – wk), Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Muhammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan Shinwari, Yasir Shah, Hassan Ali and Haris Sohail.