Pakistan have recalled controversial opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal for the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka beginning this weekend.
The match will mark Shehzad first fit in representing Pakistan ever since a four-month ban for a failed dope test last year hit on him.
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Shehzad violated the ban rules by playing club matches thereby attracted more six-weeks extention as a penalty for violation. Shehzad was last seen officially in his 57 Twenty20 internationals in Scotland in June last 2018.
While Umar played the last of his 82 Twenty20 internationals last three years ago against the West Indies. Same year, former head coach Waqar Younis described Shehzad and Umar as “undisciplined” and called on selectors to let them play domestic cricket to earn their places in the national team.
The three Twenty20 internationals will all be played in Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.
Chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq announced the changes to the squad as it prepared to meet Sri Lanka for the final one-day international of the tour on Wednesday in Karachi.
The first ODI was abandoned due to rain, while Pakistan won the second on Monday.
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“From the ODI side against Sri Lanka there are three changes. Shehzad, Umar and Faheem Ashraf have replaced Abid Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq,” Misbah siad.
Sarfaraz Ahmed will lead the Twenty20 squad.
Twenty20 squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz
