Umar Akmal dropped on disciplinary grounds while 39-year old-given chance as Pakistan announce T20 squad

Umar Akmal was not considered for selection based on disciplinary grounds

Pakistan have announced their T20 squad for the upcoming matches against England. Umar Akmal was dropped from the team based on disciplinary grounds for “bringing the PCB and Pakistan Cricket into disrepute," ESPNcricinfo reports. In a surprising move, 39-year-old Rafatullah Mohmand was included, making his way into the national side for the first time.

Mohmand, a right-handed batsman, has a good first-class career record of 7501 runs at an average of 29.41 in 168 matches. Clearly, he has an immense amount of experience to play at the national level and has finally been called upon. Rafatullah, who has a record second wicket partnership of 580 runs in first-class cricket, will be a contender for opening the innings.

“Having experience of playing first-class cricket for many years, with his form, sound technique and fitness, and also given his fielding credentials, Rafatullah Mohmand has been afforded an opportunity as he was considered to have (the) potential to feature in an international T20 competition as an opener,” chief selector Haroon Rashid said.

Meanwhile, Umar Akmal has been given a much-deserved punishment by the board as he attended a party in Hyderabad without taking any due permission during the match between Hyderabad and Sui Northern Gas Pipes Limited.

“Umar Akmal had been pencilled in for selection, but he has subsequently been dropped on instructions from the Board, as he has been issued with a show-cause notice for bringing PCB and Pakistan Cricket into disrepute," Haroon said.

Another change in the team has been the inclusion of Iftikhar Ahmed, who has also been called up for the ODI squad following Younis Khan’s sudden retirement. This is what the selectors had to say about him: “Iftikhar has filled in the spot vacated by Younis Khan in ODIs; it was considered that he also be tried in the T20 format on the back of his performance on the domestic T20 circuit."

Imad Wasim’s inclusion in the team depends on his fitness. If he is not available, all-rounder Bilal Asif will take up his spot in the 3-Match series against England.

Pakistan’s T20 squad in full : Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Rafatullah Mohmand, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim (Subject to fitness, otherwise Bilal Asif), Imran Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Aamer Yamin.