Lahore: Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq on Wednesday announced the 16-member One Day International (ODI) team and 15-member Test and T20 squads for the upcoming tour of West Indies.
Addressing a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the chief selector said that all factors were taken into consideration when selecting the team.
When asked whether the squad was selected based on their fitness level, Inzamam responded saying “32 players had passed the fitness but we cannot select a 32-member team”.
“Umar [Akmal] was the only player who failed the fitness test,” he added. “Of course, fitness is important but performance is the main factor.”
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When asked about the exclusion of former ODI captain Azhar Ali from the squad, the chief selector said, “Azhar is a very good player. We wanted to give opportunity to the younger players to play the one-day matches.â€
“It is possible that when we go to England to play the champions trophy… then we might give opportunity to the seniors,†he added.
The chief selector, further reflecting on the process of selection, said the need was felt that younger players should be given the opportunity to play ODIs.
“All the young players who have been selected will be given a chance to perform,” Inzamam maintained.
ODI Squad
Ahmad Shehzad
Kamran Akmal
Muhammad Hafeez
Baber Azam
Shoaib Malik
Fakhar Zaman
Asif Zakir
Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain/WK)
Immad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Hassan Ali
Wahab Riaz
Muhammad Amir
Fahim Ashraf
Junaid Khan
Muhammad Asghar
T-20 Squad
Ahmad Shehzad
Kamran Akmal
Muhammad Hafeez
Baber Azam
Shoaib Malik
Fakhar Zaman
Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain/WK)
Immad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Muhammad Nawaz
Hassan Ali
Sohail Tanvir
Wahab Riaz
Rumman Raees
Usman Khan Shinwari