KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again put its faith in Azhar Ali’s leadership as the right-handed batsman has been retained as ODI skipper for the series against the West Indies in the UAE.

The three-match series starts on Sept 30 in Sharjah.

Azhar’s captaincy came under scrutiny following his side’s 1-4 series thrashing in England this summer, with rumours suggesting that the 31-year-old would either resign or would be removed as the leader in the 50-over format.

Read: Wasim Akram wants Azhar Ali to remain ODI captain

Earlier, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had also said that they would discuss Azhar’s position as the captain of the ODI side once the team returns back home.

The PCB official, however, confirmed that nothing is going to change and Azhar would continue to lead the team against the Caribbean side, the ANI news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez, who is still struggling with his fitness, has been dropped from the 22-member preliminary list handed to the PCB by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq led selection committee.

Read: Azhar Ali – waiting to join elite group of ‘sacked’ men

Test opener Sami Aslam and veteran paceman Umar Gul have also failed to make it to the preliminary list, following their poor performance against England in the ODI series while Umar Akmal and young left-arm pacer Rumman Raees have been included in the list.

In contrast, fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, who bowled just five overs after replacing Hafeez on the England tour, has been named in the 22-man squad.

Besides ODIs, Pakistan will also play three T20s and three Tests against the West Indies in the UAE.

Published in Dawn September 17th, 2016