Karachi, October 21
Pakistan named five uncapped players, including legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir's son Usman, for the T20I and Test series in Australia while ignoring recently-sacked captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for the tour.
The 26-year-old Usman, a leg-spin all-rounder, was included in the squad for the three T20I matches next month. He played in the Big Bash League in Australia last season and there was speculation that if he was not picked by Pakistan, he would try to play for Australia. Head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq explained Usman was included in the T20I squad because of his experience of playing Big Bash in Australia as well as domestic cricket in Pakistan.
Misbah said former captain Ahmed's could get back into the team after regaining his form by playing domestic cricket. Senior players Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad also did not figure in the T20 squad. The three T20I matches are scheduled for Nov 3 (Sydney), 5 (Canberra) and 8 (Perth) while the two Tests will be held in Brisbane (November 21-25) and Adelaide (Nov 29 to Dec 3). — PTI