Reports: Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad set to return for Sri Lanka T20Is

International cricket finally returned to Pakistan with the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Karachi. The third and final match of the game is set to be played on Wednesday now after which the three-match T20I series will be played in Lahore. The hosts are yet to announce the squad for the same. However, the reports suggest that Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad might come back to the set up as Pakistan look to build the team for the T20 World Cup.

Hasan Ali is still recovering from his back injury and is unlikely to get picked for the T20I series as well. Pakistan, led by Sarfaraz Ahmed, last played  T20 International just before the 50-over World Cup against England at the start of the summer in the UK. They are the number 1 side in the shortest format of the game and will go into the series as the clear favourites against the second string Sri Lanka side.

Hafeez and Malik to continue playing in the CPL

According to the reports in Cricket Pakistan, Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad look set to make their comeback to the team under the new coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq’s tutelage. Both of them have been controversial personalities and last played for Pakistan in the T20Is in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Meanwhile, the report further stated that the veteran Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik will continue playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). They have sought a No Objection Certificate from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play until October 12 which means the duo is set to miss the series.

Mohammad Hasnain, the young pacer who travelled to England for World Cup, is likely to make it to the squad with Faheem Ashraf also set to be retained. The three-match series will get underway on October 5 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The rest of the two matches will be played at the same venue on October 7 and 9.

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