LAHORE: All-rounder Faheem Ashraf and batter Tayyab Tahir were named in an 18-member Pakistan ODI squad on Wednesday for the forthcoming series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup.

In-form Test batter Saud Shakeel, who produced a magnificent show that included a maiden double century in the recently-held Test series in Sri Lanka, is in the squad for the Afghanistan series.

Top-order batter Shan Masood and fast bowler Ihsanullah, who were part of the Pakistan squad that faced New Zealand in the five-match ODI rubber at home in April-May, were axed.

The squad has been finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee — which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) — and captain Babar Azam.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national selection committee, announced the squad for the Asia Cup and the three-match series against Afghanistan.

The Babar-led Pakistan squad, which play the series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from Aug 22-26, will then be trim­med to 17 players for the six-nation Asia Cup, which begins in Multan on Aug 30 when Pakistan face Nepal. The continental event, which ends on Sept 17, is being staged jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Right-arm pacer Faheem played the last of his 31 ODIs in Birmingham against England in July 2021. The all-rounder who bats as a left-hander, was dropped from the national team due to his below-par performances. In his last ten matches, the 29-year-old Faheem could claim only four wickets.

Inzamam, however, defended Faheem’s inclusion.

“There is no fast bowling all-rounder [currently available] while Faheem’s performances in the Pakistan Super League and other [T20] leagues makes him the top choice for this position,” the chief selector said during a news conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium for the announcement of the national squad.

“Considering the forthcoming World Cup [in India], we might require him in the team.”

The 27-year-old Saud, who batted outstandingly in the Sri Lanka Tests, has featured in only five ODIs so far, the last of which came in March last year against Australia at Lahore.

Right-handed Tayyab, 30, has earned his second ODI call-up after being named in the national squad for the three-game ODI series against New Zealand in January following a stellar show in the 2022-23 Pakistan Cup where finished as the event’s top run-getter.

The middle-order batter struck a scintillating century to steer Pakistan Shaheens to a thumping 128-run win over arch-rivals India ‘A’ in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup final in Colombo last month.

Southpaw Shan has missed out on selection following a string of low scores in limited-overs cricket while right-armer Ihsanullah is undergoing a rehabilitation programme under the observation of PCB’s medical panel following an injury in his bowling elbow.

Responding to a question on Shan Masood’s exclusion, Inzamam said the batter was not totally out of the picture.

“I have just joined [a couple of days ago], and we haven’t formulated our full selection team. So, we are looking into all the things. Shan performed very well in the last season. Unfortunately, when the previous selection committee provided him an opportunity, he couldn’t perform well,” the chief selector remarked.

“We have formed a group of 20 to 21 players and he is in that group; we are keeping an eye on him. Saud and Abdullah Shafique have performed well so we have given them a chance. But it is not like Shan is completely out.”

On his role which in just a few days was switched from a member of the recently-formed Cricket Technical Committee (CTC) to the head of national selection committee which currently has no member of its own plus director coaches Mickey Arthur and head coach Grand Bradburn already there working as member of the selection committee formed earlier, Inzamam said he had worked with them all.

“I have worked with all of them [as chief selector] in the past for three and a half years. Babar also came [to national squad] during that time. So, working with them is nothing new for me,” he said.

“Yes, you will see in the next days a full selection committee functioning as we need those selectors who go to watch our domestic cricket to find out the cricketers giving impressively by directly watching them on the ground.

“Then Mickey and Bradburn will do their jobs in the team management.”

To a question, the former 119-Test veteran said he would not have the power to select the playing XI underlining it was the job of Babar and Mickey.

“Yes if I will be there [in Sri Lanka] to experience the ground conditions by myself; [and] if required I may give my suggestions for the playing XI. However, the selection of the playing XI should be left with Mickey and Babar.,” he said.

On whether specialist white-ball players would get chance in future, the chief selector said any player could be considered on requirement.

“Selection is always open to all players. Sometimes you form a pool of 20-22 but at times you may require a player from outside that pool. If someone performs exceptionally or there is a team requirement, you select that player as well. For example, there is an experienced player like Imad Wasim; if you require second left-arm spinner, we can consider him.

“These names [of selected players] are not final. We can consider any player, whosoever is required anytime.”

Answering a question on the ODI team’s middle-order which has struggled, Inzamam said that was being looked into.

“In the top-order, we have Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar who have performed well but our middle-order hasn’t,” the chief selector acknowledged.

“We have included Saud who has done well in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He is also a left-hander, so we are considering that and we too think that we should have at least one strong player in the middle-order.

“We are also considering all-rounders in ODI cricket who can hit big in middle overs.”

Inzamam did not agree to the notion of some main players of Pakistan getting rested for the Afghanistan series.

“Before the World Cup, if players deem it fit they can rest but no one should take Afghanistan lightly. I know a few [first-choice] players didn’t play last time [against Afghanistan in a T20 series], and you know the outcome.

“Afghanistan are no more the side which they were before.”

Inzamam hoped the selected players would get a proper tune-up for the all-important World Cup being staged in India from Oct 5 to Nov 19.

“We have selected players with the focus also on the World Cup and hope that the team brings laurels to the country,” he said.

The national squad will assemble in Hambantota on Aug 18 with the players in Pakistan departing on Aug 17. The players in Pakistan will attend a camp from Aug 14-16 at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore.

The Pakistan cricketers currently competing in the Lankan Premier League (Sri Lanka) and The Hundred (England) will join the squad directly in Sri Lanka on Aug 18.

Squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz; Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2023