ZIM vs PAK: Pakistan announces ODI squad for Zimbabwe tour

After the conclusion of T20I tri-series, Zimbabwe will host Pakistan for a 5-match ODI series at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Pakistan national selection committee announced the 16-man One Day International squad for the series. The selectors made a point by strengthening the team’s middle-order

Leggie Yasir Shah and pacer Junaid Khan passed the fitness test and are all set to represent the men in green in the ODI series. Yasir Shah last played in August 2016. He wasn’t part of the recently concluded Test series against England due to the hip injury, that led to a 10-week rest. Junaid Khan last played an ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2016.

Azhar Ali faces the axe; Asif Ali strengthens middle-order

Facing the axe was the opener Azhar Ali for his recent poor outings in limited-overs cricket. He was a part of Pakistan’s successful Champions Trophy in 2017 and he anchored his side to a few victories in the tournament. But, his form since the conclusion of the tournament wasn’t on a positive note. He was dropped against Sri Lanka in 2016 owing to a knee injury but got selected for NZ ODI series and failed to create the impact.

The 26-year-old Asif Ali, who represents Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, has got another chance in the series to improve the team’s middle order. Asif made his national debut in April 2018 against Windies after his brilliant outing in PSL 2018. However, he failed to make an impact in the recent Scotland T20I series.

The five-match ODI series will be played from 13th July to 22nd July. Pakistan will go into this tour as favourites.

ODI Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Babar Azam (subject to fitness), Asif Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Usman Khan, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Haris Sohail

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