Lahore: Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi has hinted that batsman Ahmed Shahzad, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener-cum-wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal are likely to be dropped from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming West Indies tour.
Earlier, the national selection committee failed to announce the squad even after seven-hour-long discussions, as its members were divided over the selection of some players, so the selectors will meet on Wednesday (today) to finalise the team.
Afridi discussed the formation of both Test and one-day teams for the West Indies tour that will start from April 18, where both nations will play one Twenty20 match on April 21 apart from five one-dayers and two Tests, The Nation reports.
Afridi told media persons after the meeting that it was principally decided that Shahzad, Razzaq and Kamran would be replaced by young all-rounder Hammad Azam, wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal and opening batsman Taufeeq Umar.
He conceded that it was not easy to fill the vacuum created by pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s retirement.
“I wanted his inclusion against India in the [World Cup] semi-final but he was not hundred percent fit,” he said, adding, “If Shoaib was 70% fit, he would be part of the team. But he was not.”
Afridi revealed that the morale of the players was boosted by the warm welcome they received on returning from the 2011 World Cup following their ouster in the crucial semi-final clash against India.
"It is an indication that Pakistan cricket is on the right track and on the coming tours to West Indies and Zimbabwe we can form an ideal one-day combination," he added.
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