Haris Sohail replaces Umar Akmal in Pakistan Champions Trophy squad

Pakistan will fly in left-hand batsman Haris Sohail as a replacement for wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal who failed to clear the pre-tournament fitness test conducted by the team management. The 28-year-old has represented the national team in 22 ODIs with the latest being against Zimbabwe in 2015.

Yesterday chief selector of the Pakistan team Inzamam-ul-Haq had stated that Akmal has failed to clear two fitness tests and that ruled him out of being in contention for a spot in the team and thus he was all set to fly back home. The two names that crept up to replace him were left-handed batsmen Umar Amin and Haris.

Both the players have done well in the domestic circuit and that brought them in prominence to contest for the spot. “Amin and Haris have performed well in the domestic circuit and that is why their names are under consideration to replace Umar. Umar was not able to pass two fitness tests so he is being sent back from England,” said Inzamam. “He needs to focus more on his fitness now.”

The team management, as well as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), were not happy with Akmal’s fitness troubles since he had very recently passed the test before being included in the national team.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan was clear that unfit players by no means will be a part of the team. Ever since Mickey Arthur took over the reins of the Pakistani team as the head coach a lot of emphases has been laid on the fitness of the players and only those who clear the parameters are picked in the team.

Pakistan’s fixtures in Champions Trophy:

June 4: India vs Pakistan, 4th Match, Group B | Edgbaston, Birmingham

June 7: Pakistan vs South Africa, 7th Match, Group B | Edgbaston, Birmingham

June 12: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 12th Match, Group B | Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy 2017:

Sarfraz Ahmed (C/wk), Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Fakhar Zaman