Pakistan tour to S. Africa: Amir cements place for ODIs

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced 16-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to start in Port Elizabeth on 19 January.  

The side will be led by Sarfaraz Ahmed and includes three openers Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, four middle-order batsmen: Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, two  all-rounders: Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.

In the bowling department, Pakistan has selected Shadab Khan, as well as four pacers Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Usman Shinwari.

“Amir’s good performance in the Test series not only made him an automatic selection, but also helped us in the decision to rest Abbas,” said chief selector Inzamam ul Haq. “Junaid Khan has not been considered for this tour because we feel he has to work more on his bowling since the fitness issues that he had cut short his series against New Zealand,” he added.

There are three changes from the 15-man ODI side, which drew with New Zealand in the UAE after the final ODI was washed out. Asif Ali, Haris Sohail and Junaid Khan have been replaced by Mohammad Amir, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood.

Pakistan ODI Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain, wicketkeeper), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik and Usman Shinwari