New Delhi: Pakistan are expected to recall senior stars Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah to the ODI squad for their upcoming tour to South Africa.
Pakistan are scheduled to play in three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests with the tour starting on December 10 with the 20-over matches followed by the 50-over games.
Pakistan are expected to announce their squad soon where the veterans are in line for a comeback after being rested for the Zimbabwe tour.
“Fakhar who was dropped for the white-ball series in Australia and Zimbabwe because of a failed fitness test and knee problem has apparently worked on his fitness and is in line to be considered for the white ball matches in South Africa,” a Pakistan Cricket Board source told PTI on Thursday.
‘Send them early’
The PCB selectors have advised that players of the Test team should be sent to South Africa to get more time to acclimatise to the bouncy conditions.
“As far as the T20 squad is concerned the selectors are still deliberating on giving more exposure to the pool of new players for the format who were picked for the Australia and Zimbabwe series,” the PCB source added.
Aggressive opener Fakhar was not kept in the team due to his suspect fitness but after working on it, the selectors could consider him for the T20 squad. Babar, Naseem and Shaheen, however, are likely to be named in only the ODI and Test squads.
Senior selector and interim head coach of the white-ball squads Aaqib Javed was with the team in Zimbabwe and will continue in the dual role in South Africa while Jason Gillespie would remain as the Test team’s coach.
Pakistan are scheduled to play in three T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests with the tour starting on December 10 with the 20-over matches followed by the 50-over games. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
