LAHORE:( The COW News Digital)- Pakistan has recalled star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, starting July 31 at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.
The tour begins with three T20 internationals in the US (July 31, August 2, and 3), followed by three ODIs in Trinidad and Tobago.
Afridi, who is also included in the ODI squad, was a surprise omission from Pakistan’s last two T20 series against Bangladesh, despite an impressive season leading Lahore Qalandars to a third Pakistan Super League title in four years, with 19 wickets.
In his absence, Pakistan swept Bangladesh 3-0 at home but lost the return T20 series 2-1 in Dhaka, which concluded Thursday.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf, sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during Major League Cricket in the US, has recovered and returns to the T20 squad. Pakistan’s pace attack is further bolstered by the comeback of Hasan Ali, named in both the T20 and ODI squads.
Pace bowlers Abbas Afridi and Salman Mirza, who featured in the recent Bangladesh series, have been dropped. All-rounders Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz retain their places.
Middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz, who smashed Pakistan’s fastest-ever T20 century against New Zealand in March, is the only uncapped player named in the ODI squad.
Salman Ali Agha will continue to captain the T20 side, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed ODI skipper.
Pakistan T20I Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Pakistan ODI Squad:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
