Pak vs SA: Farhan, Ali depart for South Africa to join T20 squad

Pakistan cricketers Sahbizada Farhan and Asif Ali have departed for South Africa to join the team for the upcoming three T20 Internationals against Proteas.

Farhan, who made his debut in the tri-series in Zimbabwe, and Ali who impressed in the Mzansi Super League in South Africa departed via Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, reported local media.

The duo is part of the 15-man Pakistan squad picked for the South Africa series. The squad saw the return of fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who was dropped after the Twenty20 International tri-series in Zimbabwe in July 2018.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani side will be lead by stand-in captain Shoaib Malik, after regular skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was handed over a four-match suspension by the ICC, over racist remarks. Furthermore, the PCB informed that Sarfraz would return immediately to Pakistan. Whereas, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been included in the T20I side.

The three-match T20I series begins on February 1 and will conclude on February 6 to draw curtains on a lengthy, three-format tour for Pakistan.

Squad:

Shoaib Malik (Capt), Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad  Rizwan (w/k), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Shinwari.