Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal return for Pakistan ODI series down under

After having lost the Test series, Mickey Arthur and Pakistan will be looking towards the ODI series for some solace in ensuring that their overall tour down under does not leave them empty-handed. For this, they have ensured that some of their ODI specialists have made their ways back into the team.

36-year old all-rounder and former skipper Shoaib Malik, perhaps the player with the most experience in playing in Australia in the squad has been the most notable of those players drafted in. Umar Akmal, who was dropped from the side on several occasions for either poor performances or poor attitude has seen has also been drafted into the side.

It would also seem as though whatever reservations coach Mickey Arthur had about Mohammad Irfan has been quashed as he comes in as one of the five pacers in the side. Hasan Ali, who had a terrible time in the ODI series in England has also made a comeback in the side.

Sharjeel Khan will now occupy the opening slot along with skipper Azhar Ali and will be looking to make a similar impact as he had done in England earlier this year. Babar Azam has been in terrific ODI form in recent times including the three centuries he smashed back to back against the West Indies in the UAE.

Imad Wasim, who has been turning a few heads with decent performances in recent times has also seen him become a part of the side as well. Pakistan will play three ODIs after the conclusion of the final Test match in Sydney. The series will begin at the Gabba in Brisbane on the 13th of January and conclude on the 19th at Perth.

Pakistan ODI squad: Azhar Ali (C), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Rahat Ali, Mohammad Irfan