Home »Sports News » Pakistan » Pakistan’s T20 squad for Sri Lanka series announced
Pakistan national team's head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, has announced a 16-member squad for three T20Is against Sri Lanka being played in Lahore from 5th to 9th October. From the ODI side, there are three changes. Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Faheem Ashraf have replaced Abid Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. Ahmed last featured in a T20I in June 2018 against Scotland, while Umar's last appearance in the same format was in September 2016 against the West Indies. Faheem last played for Pakistan in a five-match away ODI series against England in May this year.

Imam-ul-Haq has been left out of the T20I side due to an injury in his left-hand, which he sustained while fielding in the second ODI against Sri Lanka on Monday. He was also unavailable for selection for the third ODI on Wednesday. Moreover, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar while chairing a high-level meeting on Wednesday directed to provide foolproof security to T20 matches.

In a briefing given to the CM about match arrangements and security plan, it was informed that 13416 police and security officials will be deputed for security. Nine parking areas have been earmarked for the events and 68 shuttle buses will be available to take cricket enthusiasts to the stadium.

The chief minister said that both the teams will be provided box security. He also directed to make best arrangements inside and outside of the stadium and assured that the Punjab government will extend full cooperation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He directed the cabinet committee on law & order to regularly review security arrangements. He said that holding of matches in a peaceful atmosphere is the matter of national dignity and no compromise will be made on it. He further directed to follow traffic plan in letter and spirit and added that citizens should not face any difficulty in this regard.

The chief minister said that suitable arrangements should be made to provide meals to the duty staff and cleanliness arrangements should also be the best. He hoped that cricket lovers will enjoy the best play in a peaceful atmosphere. The chief minister said that the arrival of Sri Lankan cricket team is the revival of international cricket and this has helped to restore sports activities in Pakistan.

Provincial ministers Raja Basharat, Muhammad Hashim Dogar, Muhammad Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Ansar Majeed Khan Niazi, Chief Secretary, ACS, ACS (Home), PCB officials and others attended the meeting. Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain); Babar Azam (vice-captain); Ahmed Shehzad; Asif Ali; Faheem Ashraf; Fakhar Zaman; Haris Sohail; Iftikhar Ahmed; Imad Wasim; Mohammad Amir; Mohammad Hasnain; Mohammad Nawaz; Shadab Khan; Umar Akmal; Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019


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