Veteran batsman Misbah last played an ODI against South Africa in the 2009 Champions Trophy before he was dropped due to poor form. The selectors have dropped wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and replaced him with Zulqarnain, who flew back home from the tour of England after injuring a finger during the third Test. But the PCB spokesman said Kamran could be included at a later date if he proved his fitness for the shorter version showdowns that will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai due to the security situation in Pakistan. Kamran has just undergone an appendicitis operation. Azhar Ali and Umar Amin, who have both been part of at least one ODI squad since June and were loudly trumpeted as the future, have been left out. Former captain Shoaib Malik is also not part of the national outfit.
Management changes: There have been key changes in the management as well, the most significant being the return of Intikhab Alam as manager of the side. Former Test skipper Intikhab, who is also working as director National Cricket Academy, has replaced Yawar Saeed. Yawar stepped down after Pakistan’s scandal-hit tour of England. Intikhab was coach between October 2008 to the shambolic tour to Australia early this year after which he was replaced as coach by Waqar Younis. Appearing before an inquiry committee after the Australia tour in January, Intikhab called his players ‘mentally retarded’, as well as suspecting the motives of some of them in the now infamous Sydney Test loss. Intikhab told reporters he was looking forward to taking responsibility for the team. “It’s a tough job. I will make sure that all goes well and I manage to keep the image of the team better and it goes up,” Intikhab added. Intikhab, a leg-break bowler, played 47 Tests and four ODIs for Pakistan. Former Test batsman Ijaz Ahmed has been shown the door while Waqar has been retained as coach while Aaqib Javed has been given the responsibility of the bowling coach. David Dwyer, the popular trainer who arrived with former coach Geoff Lawson, has not been retained after the series in England.
Younus once again ignored: Former Pakistan captain Younus Khan has been once again ignored by the selectors, headed by Mohsin Hasan Khan. Although Younus’ indefinite ban for ill-discipline was overturned earlier this year, he has not been picked for any international matches since January after Pakistan’s unsuccessful tour of Australia. The three cricketers –opener Salman Butt, pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – suspended and charged last month by the International Cricket Council under its anti-corruption code over fixing allegations were not available for selection. They will appear before an ICC hearing on October 30-31 in Doha, Qatar.
Squad:
Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Tanveer Ahmad, Zulqarnain Haider.
Officials:
Intikhab Alam (manager), Waqar Younis (coach), Aaqib Javed (bowling coach) Faisal Hayat (physiotherapist), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Shahid Aslam (assistant manager), Muhammad Talha Butt (analyst) and Muhammad Akhtar (masseur).
