Rizwan dropped as Babar, Shadab return to Pakistan squad
Dropping Rizwan at a stage when he recently returned to form in the Test series against Bangladesh by blasting gallant 94 will dent his career. Picking a player in any format when he is in form is direly needed to constitute a better side
By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan on Friday dropped veteran wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan from its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match one-day international series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.
The decision to exclude Rizwan comes just days after he blasted a gallant 94 in a losing cause during Pakistan’s recent Test match against Bangladesh in Sylhet.
This shows that Rizwan is not in the plans of Mike Hesson who also as a coach has failed to deliver in major events. Rizwan previously had also been dropped from T20 sqaud despite the fact that he is among the leading players of the world as far as average in T20Is is concerned.
While Rizwan misses out, former captain Babar Azam leads a group of senior players returning to the white-ball setup. Fast bowler Naseem Shah, all-rounder Shadab Khan and spinner Sufiyan Moqeem have also been recalled after missing the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi retains his role as captain with Salman Ali Agha named as his deputy.
The selection committee has initiated a significant overhaul of the squad, dropping several players alongside Rizwan. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf, spinner Faisal Akram, Husain Talat, Mohammad Wasim Junior and Saad Masood have all been omitted.
Injuries and illness also forced the selectors’ hands. Usman Khan was unavailable due to illness, opening the door for young stumper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and the uncapped Rohail Nazir to be selected as the two specialist wicket-keeper batsmen. Top-order batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were sidelined by injuries and will continue rehabilitation under the PCB’s medical panel. The PCB had given its update on the duo the other day.
Three players including Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir could make their ODI debuts during the series.
The Pakistan squad will assemble in Islamabad on Friday to begin a training camp under head coach Mike Hesson, starting Saturday.
Pakistan ODI squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufiyan Moqeem.
Series Schedule (All matches begin at 1630 local time):
May 30: 1st ODI — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
June 2: 2nd ODI — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
June 4: 3rd ODI — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
