The veteran duo of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik has been left out of the probables named by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
Previously, the board did not offer either of the players a central contract, which was an indication that PCB will no longer keep relying on experienced players for the sake of including them in the team.
Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad are the two players who have replaced the veteran duo in the 20-player probables list for the limited-over series.
A press released by the PCB read:
Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik have not been named in the probables as they have been granted NOC until October 12 to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Misbah-ul-Haq will announce the squads at the Gaddafi Stadium on 23rd September. The ODI side will travel to Karachi on September 24 for the three-match series which kicks off on September 27.
Probables List:
Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz.
Shoaib Malik is retired from international cricket and not available for selection, why call it dropped?
Hafeez has no self respect and wants to remain a burden on team thats why he didnt announce the retirement but very good decision of PCB to not even consider him
Where is Shaheen Afridi?
We could have gone with some better players for a better chance.
My playing XI for ODIS
Abid
Imam
Babar
Haris
Sarfraz
Asif/Akmal
Shadab
Faheem
Hasnain
Hassan Ali
Usman Shenwari
We should give out of form players more chance like faheem, hassan so they can regain their form.