Related Links

January 27, 2007

Pakistan have recalled the big hitting opening batsmen Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir to their One Day Squad that will be playing a 5-ODI Series against SA. Both these right handed batsmen have the potential of being dangerously destructive in the limited overs version of the game, in particular during the Powerplays. Imran Nazir has been picked due to his good form in the domestic season according to the Pakistani Cricket Board. Imran is also an excellent fielder at point. He had played in 61 ODIs with his last one being in 2004! He is just 25 years and has age on his time to secure his spot in the Pakistan outfit. For Shahid Afridi, it is yet another opportunity to prove that he is one of the most valuable match winners for Pakistan even though he has put up mediocre show with the bat in the recent past.

Also back in the side is all rounder Abdul Razzaq, who returns after an injury that had ruled him out of the Test Series. Abdul Rehman, the left arm spinner, who had impressed one and all in the home series against Windies gets his second opportunity. Shabbir Ahmed, Pakistan's answer to Joel Garner has also been named in the squad. Shabbir was initially named as the replacement for the injured Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul, but it was decided later that he wouldn't be flown for the last test.

Pak ODI Squad : Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan (Vice Captain), Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (Captain), Kamran Akmal (WK), Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Asif, Yasir Hameed, Naved-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Zulqarnain Haider (WK), Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Abdul Rehman, Shabbir Ahmed

Update on January 30 : Imran Farhat has been dropped for the One Day Series following his poor run in the three test matches. It is also revealed that Kamran Akmal will be rested for the five ODIs with Zulqarnain Haider taking his place. However, Kamran Akmal will not be flowing back to Pakistan immediately.  

 

Top of the Page