Pakistan cricket team heading for Australia has received a strong boost after Usama Mir cleared the final hurdle ahead of his selection for the national side.
According to reports, Usama’s selection rested on a fitness test that was conducted in Rawalpindi during the Pakistan team’s training session under the selection committee members Aleem Dar and Aqib Javed, along with the team’s doctor and physio. The 28-year-old managed to pass the benchmark of running 2 km in eight minutes.
After passing the test Usama Mir will likely be on the flight to Australia.
His selection is a major boost for Pakistan as they prepare for a tough challenge down under. The leg-spinner will likely be the most experienced of Pakistan’s spin-bowling options with reports suggesting that Shadab Khan is not in the selection committee’s plan at the moment.
Mehran Mumtaz and Sufiyan Muqeem are the names likely to make up Pakistan’s spinning department.
A final squad announcement is expected soon.
The Pakistan squad is set to depart for Melbourne on October 29, with practice sessions scheduled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 1 and 2.
The action begins with the first ODI on November 4 at the MCG.
– 4 November: MCG, Melbourne (D/N)
– 8 November: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (D/N)
– 10 November: Perth Stadium, Perth (D/N)
– 14 November: The Gabba, Brisbane (N)
– 16 November: SCG, Sydney (N)
– 18 November: Bellerive Oval, Hobart (N)