Tuesday 25 April 2017 16:46, UK
Azhar Ali and Umar Akmal have been recalled to Pakistan's ODI team after their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy was announced on Tuesday.
Pakistan's selectors dropped opener Kamran Akmal from the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy to be held in England in June, but have recalled his younger brother Umar.
Thirty-five-year-old Kamran was part of Pakistan's squad which won their three-match one-day series in the West Indies earlier this month, but he only managed scores of 47, 21 and 0.
Pakistan's 15-member squad for the tournament was selected by the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) National Selection Committee, headed by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.
A press release from the PCB said the team was selected keeping in mind English conditions and recent performances of some players in domestic cricket and on international tours.
According to the PCB, Ali was selected in the team because of his good track record in England, while Umar returns to the fold after considerable improvement in his fitness and performances in the ongoing Pakistan Cup.
"Overall the team consists of experience and youth and the selectors believe that team will do well in the ICC event," said chief selector Inzamam.
The side led by Sarfraz Ahmed will play warm-up matches against Bangladesh (May 27) and Australia (May 29).
The ICC Champions Trophy will be played in England and Wales from June 1-18, live on Sky Sports, with Pakistan playing arch-rivals and defending champions India in their first Group B match in Edgbaston on June 4.
Pakistan squad - Sarfraz Ahmad (capt & wkt), Azhar Ali, Ahmad Shahzad, Fakhar Zaman, Baber Azam, Muhammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Muhammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hassan Ali, Junaid Khan, Fahim Ashraf.
Watch the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy live on Sky Sports this summer - the action begins with England against Bangladesh on June 1.
