ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recalled opening batsman Azhar Ali to its squad for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand in January.
Former captain Ali was part of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy-winning team in June. His recall comes after being rested during Pakistan’s one-day international series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates, which Pakistan swept 5-0.
Left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan and all-rounder Imad Wasim will miss the ODI series against New Zealand due to injuries and have been replaced by Aamir Yamin and Haris Sohail, respectively.
“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in the domestic tournament,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said Saturday.
Junaid has been ruled out due to a fracture in his right foot with the left-arm fast bowler advised by doctors to rest for six weeks.
“Imad felt discomfort in his previously injured knee and has been told to work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy,” Inzamam said.
The 15-member squad includes aggressive opener Fakhar Zaman and Inzamam’s nephew, Imam-ul-Haq, who scored a century on his ODI debut against Sri Lanka. The experienced trio of Shoaib Malik, Babar Zaman and captain Sarfraz Ahmed form the nucleus of Pakistan’s middle-order lineup.
The ODI series takes place Jan. 6-19. There is also a three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand, starting Jan. 22, with Pakistan’s squad to be named later.
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Pakistan’s ODI squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Aamir Yamin, Rumman Raees.
Pakistan recalls Azhar Ali for ODI series vs New Zealand
Pakistan recalls Azhar Ali for ODI series vs New Zealand
Scotland shake up team for Six Nations opener
- Kinghorn is replaced by Tom Jordan at fullback for their opening match of the tournament
- Townsend selected Jamie Dobie, who also plays at scrum-half, and Kyle Steyn on the wings instead
EDINBURGH: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has shaken up his starting line-up to take on Italy in the Six Nations in Rome on Saturday, leaving out regular fullback Blair Kinghorn and their two top try scorers when he named the team on Thursday.
Kinghorn is replaced by Tom Jordan at fullback for their opening match of the tournament, while Darcy Graham was relegated to the bench and Duhan van der Merwe left out.
Van der Merwe has a record 35 tries for Scotland, with Graham one behind him, but Townsend selected Jamie Dobie, who also plays at scrum-half, and Kyle Steyn on the wings instead. Left wing Dobie gets his first Six Nations start.
“Blair, Duhan and Darcy have had some terrific games for us and they’re very proud of playing for Scotland,” Townsend said at a press conference.
“But there’s competition in that back-three area like there is in other positions and we feel Jamie, Kyle and Tom deserve their starts given how well they’ve been playing.
Townsend praised the three who were dropped as “quality players.”
“If or when they get back into the squad or they get an opportunity off the bench, like Darcy will on Saturday, we know we’re going to have hungry players desperate to get back in the starting team,” the Scotland coach added.
“But for now, we’re really pleased with that back three, how they’ve been playing but also how they’ve been combining in training.”
The injured trio of Ewan Ashman, Jack Dempsey, and Jamie Dobie have all recovered in time to make the line-up after being injury doubts last weekend.
Huw Jones, who played for the British & Irish Lions in Australia last year, is returning to the Scotland set-up after missing the November tests as he recovered from surgery on his Achilles tendon. He will partner captain Sione Tuipulotu in what will be the 18th test match the pair have played together, including for the Lions.
There is also a return for prop forward Zander Fagerson while Scott Cummings, who missed last year’s championship through injury, returns to Six Nations action alongside Grant Gilchrist in the second row.
Nine of the players in the starting line-up come from Glasgow Warriors with another five on the bench, reflecting the stellar season Scotland’s top team are having.
Team: 15-Tom Jordan, 14-Kyle Steyn, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11-Jamie Dobie, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ben White, 8-Jack Dempsey, 7-Rory Darge, 6-Matt Fagerson, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Scott Cummings, 3-Zander Fagerson, 2-Ewan Ashman, 1-Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16-George Turner, 17-Nathan McBeth, 18-Elliot Millar Mills, 19-Max Williamson, 20-Gregor Brown, 21-George Horne, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Darcy Graham.
