Pakistan recall Mohammad Irfan for one-day series with Sri Lanka
Friday 3 July 2015 12:35, UK
Pace bowler Mohammad Irfan has been recalled by Pakistan for their five-match one-day series against Sri Lanka later this month.
The 33-year-old has not played since being ruled out of the World Cup with a pelvic problem.
Fellow left-armer Wahab Riaz, who missed the final Test against the same opponents after sustaining a hand injury in the second Test, could be ready for the last two one-day matches, provided he recovers sufficiently.
The 16-member squad, led by Azhar Ali, includes uncapped batsman Mukhtar Ahmed, who has been rewarded for a bright start to his Twenty20 career - he boasts a 158-plus strike rate in the shortest form of the game.
"The rehab process of Wahab Riaz is being monitored and our medical panel is expected to re-scan his injured left hand around the middle of this month to find out the recovery process," chief selector Haroon Rashid said.
"It is hoped that he recovers well in time to be available for the last two ODIs and if he is declared fit... selection committee might consider sending him.
"Mukhtar Ahmed has shown tremendous improvement during this period and performed well at international level in T20 format.
"The selection committee feels that it is the right time to assess his potential in the one-day format by giving him an opportunity."
Dambulla hosts the first ODI on July 11, followed by matches on July 15 (Pallekele), July 19 (Colombo), July 22 (Colombo) and July 26 (Hambantota).
Squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Azhar Ali (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Bilal Asif, Immad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali
