Imam-ul-Haq declared fit, returns for New Zealand ODIs

The 22-year-old fractured his finger during the 1st Test against Australia after which he was ousted from the second Test and the subsequent T20 series against the Aussies and New Zealand

After outclassing New Zealand to win the 11^th T20I series on the trot, Pakistan has received good news for the upcoming ODI series against the Kiwis. Opener Imam-ul-Haq has been declared fit to play and has been roped in Pakistan's 15-member squad for the one-dayers.

The 22-year-old fractured his finger during the 1^st Test against Australia after which he was ousted from the second Test and the subsequent T20 series against the Aussies and New Zealand. After undergoing a surgery on his injured finger, Imam returned to action on Friday in the semi-final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy One-Day tournament in Lahore.

Apart from Imam, they are no surprises in the squad that will play three ODIs against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Nov 7 and 9 and in Dubai on 11.

The national selectors have also included experienced all-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez in the ODI squad after he got a lucky break and was called up as the 18th player for the Tests against Australia.

Also recalled is left-arm pacer Junaid Khan, who was overlooked for the Australia series after getting a chance in one match in the Asia Cup and bowling well against Bangladesh.

Interestingly, Pakistan pace attack includes three left-armers but there is still no place for seasoned Mohammad Aamir, who has been told to continue playing domestic cricket and regain his form.

The ODI series is important for Pakistan as it languishes at seventh spot in the ICC ODI rankings and fared poorly in the Asia Cup held in UAE in September.

Squad:

Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Hassan Ali, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan Shinwari.