Sohail or Amin to replace ‘unfit’ Akmal in CT squad

KARACHI: Pakistan will recall either Haris Sohail or Umar Amin to replace Umar Akmal, who has been axed from Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy squad because of poor fitness.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s chief selector, has confirmed that the national selection committee is considering including either Haris or Umar Amin in Pakistan’s team for the Champions Trophy to be held in England and Wales from June 1-18.

Umar Akmal was thrown out of the squad after failing fitness tests in Birmingham where the Pakistan team is currently based ahead of its eagerly-anticipated Champions Trophy encounter against arch-rivals India penciled in on June 4 at Edgbaston.

Umar’s last-minute axing has forced the selectors to consider the discarded duo of Haris and Amin.

Amin, 27, has played four Tests, 15 One-day Internationals and 10 T20 Internationals for Pakistan. He last represented the country in the fall of 2014 and has since been sidelined due to indifferent form.

The 28-year-old Haris Sohail was dumped after the home series against Zimbabwe in April 2015. He had been facing some fitness issues but it is understood that the left-handed batsman is now fully fit.

Inzamam said that both the left-handers were being considered for national duty because of their prolific showing in the Pakistan Cup.

Speaking on Umar Akmal’s ouster, Inzamam said that there will be no compromise on fitness.He made it clear that the team management conducts fitness tests ahead of every series or tournament.

“Umar Akmal was fit before the Pakistan Cup. However, he failed the fitness tests before the Champions Trophy. He would have to pay attention to his fitness,” the former Pakistan captain said.

On Sunday, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan had confirmed that Akmal was returning to Pakistan after failing two fitness tests in the team’s camp ahead of the tournament.

“We have a policy not to carry unfit players, it has been decided to call him back and send a replacement,” he said.

This is not the first time that Umar Akmal has come under fire for poor fitness. He had also failed the PCB’s annual fitness assessment test earlier this year and was, subsequently, dropped from the squad for the tour to the West Indies.

He was, however, recalled to the Champions Trophy after a reasonable showing in Pakistan Cup earlier this year.