Pakistan selectors yesterday recalled fast bowler Mohamed Amir in a 16-man squad for the five-match series against South Africa starting later this month. The 26-year-old fast bowler failed to get a wicket in his last five one-day internationals, including three Asia Cup matches in September last year.
He was left out of Pakistan’s last series against New Zealand, but was redrafted for the one-day side on the back of good form in the ongoing Test series in South Africa.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said there were five changes from the Test side, which is presently in Johannesburg preparing for the third and final Test starting from Friday. “Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah have been replaced by Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, Usman Shinwari and Imad Wasim, respectively,” said a PCB release.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said the squad was selected with the World Cup — to be held in England from May 30-July 14 this year — in mind. “While selecting the squad, we have tried to maintain consistency, taking into consideration player performances in white-ball cricket as well as looking ahead to the upcoming ODI challenges, including the World Cup,” he said.
Amir’s strong performance in the Test series made him an “automatic selection”, said Inzamam. There were no places for allrounder Haris Sohail — who returned from South Africa without featuring in the Tests due to a knee injury — and fast bowler Junaid Khan.
Batsman Shan Masood and all-rounder Hussain Talat earned maiden calls for one-day internationals. The five-match series starts in Port Elizabeth on January 19, followed by matches in Durban (January 22), Centurion (January 25), Johannesburg (January 27), and Cape Town (January 30).
Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari.
South Africa’s Albie Morkel
announces retirement
Former South Africa international all-rounder Albie Morkel has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, ending a two-decade career that earned him a reputation as a clean striker of the ball and a bowler full of guile.
The 37-year-old, the older brother of fast bowler Morne Morkel, played a single test, 58 One-Day Internationals and 50 Twenty20 matches for South Africa over 11 years, having more influence with bat than ball as a “finisher” at the end of limited overs innings.
“Time has run out for me on the cricket field, and I would like to announce my retirement from the game,” Morkel said in a statement. “There are some new opportunities on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to grow into those. I will be enjoying the game from the other side of the rope.”
Morkel was one of the top buys at the inaugural Indian Premier League auction when he went to the Chennai Super Kings for $675,000 in 2008, and later played for Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He also had spells in English county cricket with Derbyshire, Durham and Somerset.
Mohamed Amir
