Sohail Khan has not featured in a Twenty20 International since September 2011
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Pakistan have brought back pace bowler Sohail Khan for the three-match Twenty20 series against the World XI, which will be held in Lahore next month.
While Sohail returned to the side, there was no place for all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal and left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz.
Sohail has not played in a Twenty20 International since September 2011, while his last appearance for Pakistan came in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne last year.
Sohail’s inclusion was also based on his performance in the recent Pakistan Cup, where he represented Federal Areas, who won the 50-over tournament.
The 33-year-old was the joint-third highest wicket-taker with seven victims at an average of 37.14.
However, Sohail was not the only player to be recalled as Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin and Umar Amin also made the cut.
Ashraf was part of Pakistan’s squad that won the Champions Trophy in England in June, but he only played in their group stage game against Sri Lanka, where he took two wickets.
Ashraf was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan Cup with eight wickets at an average of 23.62, while Yamin was the highest wicket-taker in the competition with nine scalps at an average of 33. He also scored 163 runs in his five matches at an average of 81.50.
Amin, meanwhile, amassed 296 runs, which included two centuries, in four games at an average of 98.66.
Hasan Ali, who was the Player of the Tournament and highest wicket-taker at the Champions Trophy, was also included in the side, along with Ruman Raees and Usman Khan.
“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in the domestic and international tours,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said. “The squad (sic) consists of a combination of the fine blend of youth and senior players. Faheem Ashraf, Ruman Raees, and Aamer Yamin make a place in the squad due to their splendid performance in the domestic tournaments.”
The Twenty20 series between Pakistan and the World XI, which will be captained by Faf du Plessis, will begin on September 12. The second and third games will be held on September 13 and 15 respectively.