Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Haris Sohail has been drafted into Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad as a replacement for batsman Umar Akmal.
Sohail, who has not played ODI cricket since May 2015, received the call-up after Akmal was ordered to return home after failing two fitness tests in two days. The 28-year-old is expected to link up with the other members of the squad prior to their warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday.
Sohail was not the only person in contention to replace Akmal as Umar Amin and Asif Zakir were also considered. However, Sohail was chosen on the back of reports submitted by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee, which is headed by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.
The Sialkot native expressed his excitement towards being picked and added that it felt like his “debut call-up”.
“When I got unfit, it was such a situation where I was in top form, runs were flowing, but falling unfit then was disappointing. I hope all my effort and struggle over the years pay off this time,” he said.