Iman, Yamin break into Pakistan T20I squad

The wait has given them some positive, as Imran Khan junior of Champions team Peshawar and Amir Yamin of Sialkot have paved their ways into 15-man T20 squad.

Test: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Rahat Ali, Junaid Khan.

Pakistan selection committee on Wednesday announced names of the players that will represent the nation for upcoming series against England and Zimbabwe.

“It is a challenge to lead the Pakistan team and the players have really done well as a unit which is why despite not playing at home since 2009 we have achieved some notable success”, he said.

The selectors hope Asif will fill a void in the off-spin department, with Saeed Ajmal yet to bowl to his full potential after remodeling his action and Mohammad Hafeez suspended from global matches due to illegal bowling action. Several key factors were also taken into consideration, primary being the rebuilding phase of Pakistan team, by retaining a majority of players who were part of the successful tour in Sri Lanka.

“In the light of Misbah-ul-Haq recommendations, we have kept the options open for the 16th player in the Test squad against England with spinners Zafar Gohar and Mohammad Asghar in pole position”, Haroon said.

Pakistan selectors have included three uncapped players and recalled Sohaib Maqsood from injury for the two Twenty20 Internationals against Zimbabwe later this month.

Hampshire batsman Vince, 24, was included in England’s squad to face New Zealand in T20 encounters in June, as well as England’s one-day team, whose match against Ireland in May was abandoned.

“In addition, some budding youngsters have been recommended for inclusion into the Lahore training camp for the Zimbabwe tour”.

In 2012 Pakistan blanked England 3-0 in the Test series in the UAE although the Three Lions were perched at the top of the rankings in the longer format.

Meanwhile, Pakistan also announced squad for two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe in September and October.