Lahore : National cricket selectors Wednesday showed intent to build a new one-day international team by dropping senior players Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Younis Khan for upcoming One-day series in West Indies. Experienced pace bowler Umar Gul will not be part of squad as he optedto take a break.
Selectors inducted uncapped players including wicketkeeper, Mohammad Salman, batsman Usman Salahuddin,all rounder Hammad Azam and fast bowler Aizaz Cheema. Junaid Khan, left-arm pacer, who replaced injured Sohail Tanvir in World Cup squad but didn't get a chance to play in the tournament, was also included, making it a total of five uncapped players in the side.
"The idea is to use this tour to try out some promising youngsters and see how they adjust to international cricket," chief selector Mohsin Khan said. He said seniors who had not been selected forODI series would be in contention for two Tests against West Indies.He said wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who dropped a number of crucial catches during the World Cup, had been sidelined because of his struggling form. "Kamran needs to work on his game," he said.After team returned from India after losing World Cup semi-final to the hosts, ODI skipper Shahid Afridi indicated it was time to try some new players. He said West Indies tour was ideal to groom young players and rest some seniors.Gul said he told chief selector that he wanted to spend some time with his family. "I have decided it is best to skip this tour and rest for a while," Gul added. ODI squad: Shahid Afridi captain, Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Taufiq Umar, Usman Salahuddin, Misbahul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Hammad Azam, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Salman.
