PCB announces 15-man ODI squad for New Zealand tour

Mohammad Amir and Azhar Ali who have recovered from their respective injuries are set to return to the Pakistan side for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, which is set to begin from January 6. Amir suffered from a shin injury and Azhar sustained a knee injury that had ruled them out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka in October.

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Imad Wasim has got a knee injury, and left-arm pacers Junaid and Usman Khan have been ruled out of the series with a foot stress fracture and a back stress fracture respectively.. Mohammad Nawaz, who last played an ODI in January, has come in as a replacement for Imad and uncapped pacer Aamer Yamin has also been included. Ahmed Shehzad has been left out of the side to accommodate Azhar, as reported by Cricbuzz.

Sarfraz Ahmed to lead the side

The rest of the squad, captained by Sarfraz Ahmed, will be the same as the one that whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in the UAE. Apart from Yamin, Umar Amin and Sohaib Maqsood were also called for a fitness test by Pakistan Cricket Board, but couldn’t make it to the final squad.

“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in the domestic tournament,” Inzamam-ul-Haq, chief selector, said. “Azhar Ali makes a comeback to the ODI squad after being rested in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. He is making a comeback, having regained full fitness.

“Junaid Khan has been ruled out of the ODI squad due to a fracture in his right foot and doctors have advised him to rest for six weeks. Aamir Yamin comes in to replace the left arm pacer in the squad. Imad Wasim is again feeling discomfort in his knee, and has been told to work on his fitness in the NCA.”

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), 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, Aamer Yamin, Rumman Raees