Pakistan call up uncapped Sahibzada Farhan for T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe

Pakistan

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A full-strength touring party from Pakistan will visit Zimbabwe in July for a T20I tri-series and bilateral ODI series. The tri-series, which also features Australia, begins on July 1 with the final on July 8, while the five-match ODI series begins on July 13.

As with Pakistan’s T20Is against Scotland, Pakistan have opted against complacency and named a strong side for the tri-series, with only one change, Sahibzada Farhan earning a maiden call-up with opener Ahmed Shehzad dropping out.

Farhan, a 22-year old opening batsman, has an impressive List A record, averaging over 52. He also played for Islamabad United in the PSL this season, but was somewhat underwhelming, scoring 91 runs in five innings. Asif Ali and Hussain Talat, who both found themselves called up to the T20I side against West Indies in Karachi, have retained their places, with Asif also earning a spot in the ODI side for the first time.

Pakistan haven’t played an ODI since a five-match series in New Zealand in January. From that squad they have dropped Azhar Ali, with the left-handed pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq likely to open the batting. Junaid Khanreturns to the side, having missed the New Zealand series, while Imad Wasim has failed to fully recover from a knee injury that has been a persistent issue for the allrounder.

Babar Azam has been named in the 16-member ODI squad, though a final decision on the 23-year old will be taken after assessing his recovery from the arm fracture that kept him out of the much of the tour of the UK.

Mohammad Amir, who had asked to be rested for part of the Zimbabwe tour, has been named in both squads; ESPNcricinfo understands coach Mickey Arthur was unwilling to allow him to miss the tour. Yasir Shah, who missed the UK tour with a stress fracture, finds a place in the ODI squad. It is an intriguing development, since Yasir last played an ODI in October 2016; depending on conditions, Pakistan could field a twin-legspin attack, with Shadab Khan also part of the squad.