KARACHI: Pakistan Monday ignored in-form opener Kamran Akmal but included three uncapped players in the squad for next month’s three-match Twenty20 series against the West Indies in Karachi.
Sarfraz Ahmed will captain the hosts in the matches played in Karachi on April 1, 2 and 3 — the first ties between international sides to take place in the port city since 2009.
The 36-year-old Kamran misses out despite notching 425 runs in 13 Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, including a century and four half-centuries for Peshawar Zalmi.
But the selection committee led by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and head coach Mickey Arthur did not include him due to his age and poor fielding.
Two players from Islamabad United, who won the PSL by beating Peshawar Zalmi in Sunday’s final, were included in the squad — Asif Ali and Hussain Talat.
Lahore Qalandars’ teenage paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi also received a call-up.
“We have included Talat, Asif and Shaheen in the squad primarily for their performances in the PSL,” said Inzamam. “Imad Wasim and Rumman Raees are still recovering from injuries so were not included.”
Asif, 26, smashed three sixes in one over to help Islamabad win the final and impressed with his power hitting throughout the PSL. Talat, 22, is an exciting allrounder who bats left-handed.
Shaheen, a tall left-arm paceman, took 5-4 against Multan Sultan in one PSL match. Head coach Mickey Arthur said the 17-year-old can become an important asset for the national team.
“Shaheen is an exciting and amazing talent and I am sure after a few years he will be a star,” said Arthur of Shaheen, who hails from the northwestern tribal district of Khyber bordering Afghanistan, where Taliban and Islamist groups had been active.
The 29-year-old Rahat Ali stages a comeback after last playing for Pakistan in January 2016.
The last international match Karachi hosted was a Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in February 2009, a week before the visitors were attacked by gunmen in Lahore. It hosted several international players for the PSL final on Sunday.
Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan ignore Kamran in T20 squad for Windies series
Pakistan ignore Kamran in T20 squad for Windies series
McPeek calls on multiple Saudi champion Alfouraidi
- Local hero to partner Very Connected in Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday Feb. 14
RIYADH: Legendary American trainer Kenny McPeek has chosen multiple Saudi Arabian Champion Jockey Adel Alfouraidi to team up with his Very Connected (US) in the group three Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday Feb. 14.
The Kentucky Derby-winning handler decided to go with the local knowledge and expertise of Alfouraidi, according to a recent release.
McPeek, who recently starred in the hit Netflix horseracing documentary, “Race For The Crown,” said: “I offered the ride to Joel Rosario but he already had a ride, so I offered it to (Jose) Ortiz but his Saudi Cup mount scratched and he isn’t going now.
“So I didn’t know who to use and was fiddling around looking at options.”
McPeek, a multiple grade one-winning trainer, added: “I didn’t know if it was best to use a rider who knows the track and the conformation there, or use a rider who knows the horse, and I decided to find a local rider.”
“Adel is the leading rider there and has been champion jockey. He’s a young gun, has talent, knows the place and has got two weeks to get to know the horse too.
“I have told him to get familiarized with Very Connected. He can go and see him any time and my staff will look after him and he will ride work on him, then he can go and do his thing in the race itself.
“I wasn’t sure which jockeys would be coming from the US and this way I don’t have a worry about a jockey getting off a long flight and travelling internationally.”
Very Connected is a son of Connect (US), whose one win in six starts came in a Churchill maiden and was last seen running fifth in the Listed Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds in December.
Of the horse’s Saudi Derby claims, McPeek said: “He is an outside chance. He needs early pace and he should get it. The longer stretch will suit him and if he gets pace in the first part of the race he will be running on late.”
The winner of the Saudi Derby will earn 30 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
McPeek will be represented once again in The Saudi Cup with Rattle N Roll (US), another son of Connect, and the Lexington-based handler has reasons to believe he can improve on last year’s fifth-place finish behind Forever Young (JPN).
On that occasion Rattle N Roll, who is part owned by Saudi Arabia businessman Sharaf Al-Hariri, qualified by winning The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup a month earlier.
This time he will have had a nine-week spell after taking the Listed Tinsel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Dec. 12, 2025.
“I think he will run much better and behind Forever Young it is a wide-open race,” added McPeek.
“If Forever Young doesn’t run his best then it won’t be a surprise to see him run really well as I have never had him better and I am excited. His races are spaced out better this year, he’s a hard knocker and he holds his form well.”
McPeek is unsure if he will make the journey on this occasion after recent surgery to his neck and back.
He added: “I really enjoyed my visit last year but I don’t think I can make it this time. The people were so kind and generous and it was a great experience.”
