Pakistan announce probables for England tour; Afridi dropped

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the names of 35 probable players for the upcoming England tour, dropping former T20 skipper Shahid Afridi, opener Ahmed Shehzad and middle-order batsman Umar Akmal from the list.

Afridi had resigned from captaincy after Pakistan failed to put up a decent show in the World T20 in India, but announced that he would continue playing international cricket.

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq-led selection committee was in Faisalabad monitoring players’ performances during Pakistan Cup and shortlisted the names of 35 performers.

Those shortlisted include players from the Pakistan international and ‘A’ sides.

“We are scheduled to play only six or so T20s in the coming year so we thought it is better to give chance to youngsters,” Inzamam said at a press conference. “In the meantime, Afridi will also get some time to rest and hopefully will regain his form.”

Pakistan cricket’s troublemakers Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal have been also axed from the tour probables.

“Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal had discipline issues and their performances weren’t up to the mark either,” Inzamam said.

The selection committee has informed the PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan regarding the shortlisted players and it is likely that Afridi won’t be selected for the team’s training camp either.

Afridi, commenting on the list of probable players announced by Inzamam, took to Twitter and said: “Appreciate the approach by selection committee; happy that youngsters are getting a chance.”

The swashbuckling all-rounder added, “I am going to play County cricket this season and will try to prove my fitness [and] form and make a comeback.”

Afridi played his last Test in 2010 and resigned from one-day internationals after the World Cup 2015 in Australia.

Pakistan will start their England tour with the first Test scheduled on July 16, which will be followed by three more Tests, five ODIs and T20.