Kamran, Malik back for WT20, Alam for Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned seemingly forgotten wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal and all-rounder Shoaib Malik on Friday for the World Twenty20 and recalled middle-order batsman Fawad Alam for the preceding Asia Cup.

Kamran will challenge his brother Umar for the wicket-keeping slot as the younger brother has been keeping wickets regularly since Kamran was dropped after the Champions Trophy last June.

Acting chief selector Azhar Khan said Malik has been included for his experience and Kamran also impressed with his form in recent domestic tournaments.

Kamran was widely criticised for his poor wicket-keeping in internationals, but Azhar said he could be utilised as an opening batsman for the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month.

“He’s been picked as the third specialist opener in the team,” Azhar said.

Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad are likely to form the first-choice opening pair.

Malik competed in the two T20s against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates in November but scored only 12 and 15 runs, and missed the return series in South Africa when a finger injury didn’t heal in time.

Fawad Alam — the 28-year-old left-handed batsman — played the last of his 27 One-day Internationals against South Africa in November 2010 but has forced his way back into the national team with good domestic form.

Fast bowler Umar Gul was also declared completely fit from his right knee operation nine months ago, and was included in both squads to lead Pakistan’s pace attack. He took seven wickets in the home ODI series against Sri Lanka in December.

But Pakistan may possibly miss 2.16-metre fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan in both the major events after he was declared unfit by the medical board, Azhar said.

Irfan injured his hip when he collapsed in his follow through during the limited-overs series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates last year.

He also underwent rehab with the national team in the UAE during the Test series against Sri Lanka in January.

But Azhar said the medical board has advised him to regain full fitness over the next two months.

Pakistan has also included exciting fast bowlers Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti for the Asia Cup while retaining the latter for the World Twenty20.

While Misbah-ul-Haq will lead Pakistan in the Asia Cup, he will not go to the World Twenty20, where Mohammad Hafeez will captain the team.

Asia Cup: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Mohammad Talha

World Twenty 20: Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Tanvir, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Talha.