Shoaib Malik will lead Pakistan during the five ODI series games against Australia as captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be rested on 22 March.
Umar Akmal, a Wicket Keeper batsman, may be recalled when the selection committee seeks a replacement for the injured all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, cited ESPNcricinfo chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Inzamam said these changes would take place to ensure that key players do not collapse in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup.
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“This is my idea [to rest Sarfaraz] and a few others, our players have been playing for quite a long time, I do not think the players should play that long, so I am resting those who are under stress,” he said.
“If you definitely come in, I strongly believe that you should walk with fresh legs, fresh minds, instead of having injuries like stiff back, shoulder injury, elbow problems or thigh injury.
I do not think we should do that In such a big tournament like this, we have to compete in tournaments that are 100 percent fit and fresh, both physically and mentally, and we have to play between 20 and 21 games within two months, starting with the England series will be a hectic trip to England with practice games, “said Inzamam.
With Inzamam’s growing concern over the shape of the left arm fast Mohammad Amir, who has recorded only five wickets in 13 ODIs since last January, the chief selector said that Amir may not be an automatic pick because he does not look his best.
“Amir has enough time for the World Cup, he’ll be back in time, if an older bowler like him looks out of shape, that’s a concern for us, but we still have time for Amir, we still have 10 One day and two to three months, Amir can make a comeback, we’ll give him the full chance to make a comeback, he’s a big bowler and we need a bowler like him in our armory, “he said.
All-rounder Hafeez, who suffered a thumb injury last week at PSL, is expected to be out for two months to allow Akmal to make a comeback.
“I’m worried about Hafeez’s injury, the doctors tell me it’s going to take eight weeks, they’ve been playing for the World Cup team for quite some time and there’s not much room for change after the Australia series Series England and then practice games, we can see if Hafeez is fit until then, “he said.
“There are only a few ways to replace Hafeez, Umar Akmal is fine, we have middle-range players, we have Hussain Talat, who has gone to South Africa, I wish Hafeez will fit, otherwise we have other options.” Umar has played. ” Well, until now and we will definitely consider it, “said Inzamam.
