Sarfraz Ahmed laments Sharjeel’s absence in Windies tour

LAHORE - Pakistan T20 and ODI captain Sarfraz Ahmed said on Thursday that suspended opener Sharjeel Khan’s absence will be felt during the tour to West Indies, starting on March 26.

While speaking to media at the end of the team’s training camp in Lahore, Sarfraz maintained that the West Indies tour holds immense importance for the Green Shirts.

“The presence of senior players like Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik is very important for the team. We will leverage the capabilities of those players who are in form,” the 29-year-old skipper said.

Elaborating on the selectors’ decision to leave out Umar Akmal, Sarfraz said the batsman has not been expelled from the team.

“He has fitness issues, that’s why he was not picked,” the captain said.

Regarding Azhar Ali, who was also axed from the ODI squad announced earlier this week, Sarfraz assured that the former captain is still part of the team’s plan.

Pakistan team will play 4T20Is and 3 ODIs against West Indies. Team Pakistan will leave for West Indies on March 20.

T20 squad:

Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wk), Ahmad Shahzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Rumman Raees, Usman Khan Shinwari.

ODI squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wk), Ahmad Shahzad, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Fakhar Zaman, Asif Zakir, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammed Amir, Fahim Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Asghar.

Schedule:

T20s
March 26 - 1st T20 - Kensington Oval
March 30 - 2nd T20 - Queen’s Park Oval
April 1 - 3rd T20 - Queen’s Park Oval
April 2 - 4th T20 - Queen’s Park Oval

ODIs
April 7 - 1st ODI - Guyana National Stadium
April 9 - 2nd ODI - Guyana National Stadium
April 11 - 3rd ODI - Guyana National Stadium