Younis Khan earns ODI recall for Pakistan against New Zealand

Younis Khan

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has made a return to the ODI squad for the first two ODIs of a 5-match series against New Zealand, starting on December 8 in Dubai. Younis had been dropped from Pakistan’s ODI side for their series against Australia a couple of months back, leading Younis to hit out at the Pakistan selectors and threaten quitting from international cricket altogether.

Since then, Younis has been in a rich vein of form, amassing 717 runs from five Tests at an average of 89.62, and has rightly earned a chance to cement his spot in the ODI set-up ahead of the all-important World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where his experience will come in handy.

Misbah-ul-Haq, meanwhile, has retained his place as captain, despite sitting out of the Pakistan’s third and final ODI against Australia due to a combination of poor results and lack of runs with the bat. He too has enjoyed a renaissance, both with the bat and as captain, in recent times.

Opening batsman Nasir Jamshed has also been brought back into the fold, having scored 314 runs at 62.80 for Pakistan A against UAE, while Sarfraz Ahmed has been included in the T20 squad for the first time ever.

"In the ODI squad, Younis Khan has been recalled for the ODI squad due to his sparkling form," Pakistan chief selector Moin Khan said. "Similarly, Sarfraz Ahmed is featuring in a T20I for the first time. Young and promising Haris Sohail is also part of both squads, while Sohaib Maqsood was not considered on fitness grounds. Among our pace bowlers, Wahab Riaz and Umar Gul are making comebacks from injury to make the pace attack more potent."

Moin added that this will more or less be the last opportunity for the fringe players to make an impression and cement their spots in the World Cup squad.

"I expect Team Pakistan to perform to its potential in both the T20Is and ODIs," Moin said. "We have tried to induct all our fit players in contention for a slot and this is also pretty much the last opportunity for the players to perform and cement their places in the World Cup squad.

"Both the squads are well-balanced, with a decent blend of in-form batsmen and good allrounders, with the bowling attack a potent mix of pace and spin combinations. Quite a few players have been included either after returning from injury or on the basis of current form."

Pakistan squad for first two ODIs: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Bilawal Bhatti, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar

T20I squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Awais Zia, Raza Hasan, Saad Nasim, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shahid Afridi (capt), Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz

Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download Cric Rocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more!

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor