Akmal brothers trade places for Champions Trophy

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Pakistan have become the latest nation to reveal their Champions Trophy squad announcing a 15-man group that includes Umar Akmal.

Umar has been recalled but there is no space in the squad for his brother Kamran who played the ODIs against the West Indies.

Kamran took to Twitter to reveal his disappointment posting: “Disappointed for not being selected for CT17 as I have really worked hard in domestic for last 3 years never mind I still hope for the best.”

Umar was left out of the group that travelled to the Caribbean after failing a fitness test but has since proven he is in fighting shape for the Champions Trophy.

Up at the top of the order Pakistan have opted for experience over youth dropping uncapped Asif Zakir in favour of former skipper Azhar Ali.

Azhar has endured a tumultuous few months full of mixed fortune, scoring a Test triple hundred but being stripped of the ODI captaincy for both poor personal form and a string of bad results.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq explained that Azhar’s experience and record in England motivated the decision.

Inzamam said: “Ali is making a comeback in the team after looking at his good track record in English conditions, while Umar also returns after considerable improvement in his fitness.”

Pakistan have opted for just two frontline spinners, one of them the bowling allrounder Imad Wasim the other rookie leg-spinning sensation Shadab Khan.

The group contains two uncapped players in seamer Fahim Ashraf and top order batsman Fakhar Zaman but left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar will not make the trip to England.

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the squad again after skippering the team to a series win over the West Indies earlier this month.

Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt, wk), Azhar Ali, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Shadab Khan.

 

ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan

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