KARACHI: Rising fast bowlers Hunain Shah and Ali Raza are among the players under consideration for selection for Pakistan’s three-match home ODI series against Australia scheduled from May 30 to June 4.
The opening match of the series will be played in Rawalpindi, while the second and third ODIs will be played in Lahore. All matches will start at 4:30 PM local time, with the toss scheduled at 4:00 PM.
Sources suggest that Haris Rauf is set to retain his place in the squad, while Mohammad Wasim Jr is likely to be dropped as the selectors look to revamp the pace department. Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain.
Meanwhile, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat are also likely to miss out and are not part of the immediate plans.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not picked openers Saim Ayub and Faqar Zaman.
Both are currently recovering from their injuries and have been advised to continue their rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical team.
As the preparations for the series are in full swing, the national training camp will begin in Islamabad with players to be selected from tomorrow.
In the wicket-keeping department, Mohammad Rizwan’s ODI future remains uncertain, with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson reportedly not in favor of his inclusion in the 50-over format following his removal from T20Is.
Young wicketkeeper Kashi Gorey, who made his ODI debut as a specialist batsman in the third match against Bangladesh on March 15, is also being considered for inclusion in the squad for the Australia series.
For the second wicketkeeper role, the selectors are said to be weighing their options between Usman Khan and Mirza Saad Baig.