Published: May 22, 2017, 05:07 PM (IST)
Edited: May 22, 2017, 05:07 PM (IST)
Karachi: Inzamam-ul-Haq, chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has revealed that left-handed batsmen Umar Amin and Haris Sohail are under consideration to replace middle-order batsman Umar Akmal in the national squad for the Champions Trophy, beginning June 1 in England and Wales. Earlier, Akmal was recalled from England and has been removed from the Champions Trophy after he failed to clear two fitness tests during the eight-team tournament’s preparation camp in Birmingham. “Umar was not able to pass two fitness tests so he is being sent back from England. He needs to focus more on his fitness now,” the Express Tribune quoted Inzamam as saying. ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Umar Akmal to return home after failing two fitness tests
Reflecting on his replacement, Inzamam said that Amin and Haris had performed well in the domestic circuit and that they are most likely to replace Akmal in the squad. “Amin and Haris have performed well in the domestic circuit and that is why their names are under consideration to replace Umar,” Inzamam said. The Men in Green will begin their campaign when they lock horns with arch-rivals India in their first match of the Champions Trophy on June 4 in Birmingham, England. Pakistan suffered a jolt even before they could begin their campaign in England for the ICC Champions Trophy, as experienced batsman Umar Akmal was asked to return home after he failed in as many as two fitness tests.
Akmal had made his comeback to the Pakistan side for the Champions Trophy, as he was not a part of their tour of West Indies. Pakistan are placed in Group B in the tournament to be played in England and Wales, and their opening contest will be against their arch rivals India, on June 4 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
