Pakistan axe Malik, Razzaq for Sri Lanka series

Pakistan have included uncapped opener Sharjeel Khan in their squad for this month's Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, but senior players Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq were left out.

Malik and Razzaq, who both returned home early from the recent tour of South Africa due to fitness problems, were overlooked for the series in the United Arab Emirates in favour of left-handed opener Khan.

Left arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar has also been recalled after recovering from an injury problem.

Babar missed the limited over series against South Africa recently because of an injury while Sharjeel, a left-handed opener, has been in prolific form for his department in the domestic season.

The selectors have also recalled young batsman, Haris Sohail for the three T20 matches.
The Pakistan cricket board also announced that off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal would not play the match against Afghanistan due to domestic reasons but would join the team for the Sri Lanka matches.

Pakistan play Afghanistan on December 8, followed by two clashes with Sri Lanka on December 11 and 13.

Pakistan squad:

Muhammad Hafeez (captain), Sharjeel Khan, Ahmed Shahzad, Sohaib Maqsood, Umer Amin, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Zulfiqar Babar, Bilawal Bhatti, Junaid Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Anwar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Haris Sohail.

Image: Shoaib Malik

Photograph: Ashley Allen/Getty Images Latin America for CPL