LAHORE – Former Pakistan Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, and batsmen Ahmad Shahzad and Umar Akmal, are unlikely to join Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming T-20 match against England.
The Pakistan Cricket Board selection committee will soon announce the team for a T-20 match against England on September 7 in Manchester, and it is unlikely that the trio will make an appearance for the visitors.
The selection committee stated that Afridi wanted to make a comeback into the team but was not playing domestic matches. “If the former T-20 captain was unfit, then he should inform the selection committee,” the committee said.
Related: Shahid Afridi unlikely for group stages of National T20 after MRI reveals tear knee
Only minor changes are expected within the national team for the T-20 match against England. Imad Butt has been selected in the squad, while former captain Shahid Afridi won’t be considered for the team.
While Akmal and Shahzad were initially dropped from the squad due to disciplinary reasons, Afridi, who only represents Pakistan in T-20Is, was excluded to give younger players a chance to shine in the international arena.
Prior to the start of England’s tour, the 36-year-old opted out of fitness tests due to varying degree of knee injuries. The all-rounder claimed in a tweet that he was resting his knee in order to regain full fitness ahead of his T-20 stint with English county Hampshire.
On the other hand, Akmal’s omission came as a surprise since he was cleared for selection by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan, according to an official press release. The chairman had also informed chief selector Inzamamul Haq that the 26-year-old is eligible for future selection.
Afridi and Akmal are, however, likely to be considered for the upcoming West Indies series.
Pakistan will play their second One Day International match against England tomorrow at Lord’s, after losing the first one in Southampton.
