Saud Shakeel’s One-day International career is in jeopardy with reports suggesting that the batter will be dropped from the team heading for Australia for the 3 ODI series.
The 29-year-old last made an appearance for the Green Shirts in 2023 against England during the ICC ODI World Cup in India.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to announce the squad for the upcoming series today with Aqib Javed already hinting at a change of line-up which has gotten stale in the past few years. With Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan slated to take their place in the middle-order, Aqib reportedly sees the team as too similar to Saud the expandable name.
In his place, PCB is likely to promote Salman Ali Agha up the order leaving place open for a finisher later in the innings.
Aaqib Javed had been critical in the past of Saud’s inability to bludgeon the ball when need be and with the power in his hands, likely brought the axe down as he continues to impose his imprint on the national team.
Saud Shakeel is likely to retain his place in the test squad going forward, a format his game is much suited for. The left-hander has represented Pakistan in 15 ODIs scoring 317 runs at an average of 28.81.