The national selection committee named the squads for Pakistan’s One-day and Twenty20 International series against Australia on Thursday, ignoring the top performers from the present Pakistan Cup. The uncapped Khyber Pakhtunkhwa combo of all-rounder Asif Afridi and wicket-keeper/batter Mohammad Haris have been named in the squads for the three-match ODI series and a single T20I, which will take place between March 29 and April 5.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said the Pakistan Cup was “a great opportunity for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills and get a chance to represent Pakistan in white-ball series against Australia” when announcing the provincial association teams squads for the country’s premier List A tournament.
However, some outstanding performances in the tournament, particularly those of opener Sharjeel Khan and left-arm spinner Khalid Usman, have gone overlooked by the selection.
Sharjeel slammed a double century in Sindh’s triumph over Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, bringing his Pakistan Cup runs total to 458 at an average of 76.33.
Despite his hot record, Abdullah Shafique was called up after a century in the first Test against Australia in Rawalpindi and a critical 96 in the second innings in the second game in Karachi.
Khalid, on the other side, has 16 victims in the Pakistan Cup so far, with a score of 16.56.
With all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz providing left-arm spin options for the national side, Asif’s participation raises issues.
In the Pakistan Cup, the 35-year-old has eight wickets at 31.88. However, the selection committee was impressed by his 4.39 economy rate in the tournament and his eight wickets in five appearances for finalists Multan Sultans in this year’s HBL Pakistan Super League. Haris’ 166 runs in five matches for Peshawar Zalmi, together with an excellent strike rate of 186.5, convinced chief selector Mohammad Wasim and his colleagues to choose him as a backup wicket-keeper to former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed.
The PCB stated in a press release that “Asif and Haris have earned the selectors’ nod as a result of their impressive performances in the domestic circuit, as the selectors have continued to provide opportunities to high-performing players as part of their strategy to increase the pool of top-class cricketers and develop a formidable bench-strength.”
Haris was named in Pakistan’s squad for the home series against New Zealand, but the series was cancelled due to the Kiwis’ return to their homeland on the day of the series opener.
According to the press release, Nawaz, who was forced to withdraw from the Test series owing to a foot ailment, “would be selected in the playing line-up if he passes fitness tests,” according to the PCB.
ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.
T20I squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.