Afridi's return to add firepower to Pakistan in shorter formats

Dubai: Players for the much-awaited One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 series between Pakistan and England were announced yesterday. The first of the four match ODI series commences on February 13 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, with the third and fourth ODIs to be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

England dropped Ian Bell who has been struggling for form in the Test series against Pakistan and in recent ODIs. Bell had scored only one half century in the last 14 ODIs and repeatedly succumbed to Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal.

England have named two uncapped one-day players, Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs. Buttler, 21, from Somerset, had been performing well for England Lions and hit two centuries against Sri Lanka A recently. He can also don the role of a wicketkeeper. Briggs, 20, is a promising left-arm spinner from Hampshire and may find the turning wickets in UAE helpful.

Tim Bresnan, who had to return to England immediately on arrival in Dubai for the Test series for further treatment to an elbow injury, is also in the squad. The England ODI squad will play a warm-up match against England Lions on Friday at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan have announced a strong one-day squad, retaining most of the players who played the Test series against England, except Tawfiq Umar and Mohammad Talha. Their slots will be taken by Shahid Afridi and Hammad Azam. Azam, 20, is a fine all-rounder and can open the batting too. He has played five one-day matches for Pakistan.

The only new face in their Twenty20 squad is Awais Zia. Zia, 25, is a prolific scorer for the Rawalpindi team and is considered a Twenty20 specialist batsman in domestic cricket.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have improved their rating in world cricket ranking and have moved closer to their arch-rivals India following their victory over England in the UAE.

India are in the third position with 111 points after their dismal show against Australia. Australia, also with 111 points but a fraction of a point less than India, are in fourth place. Pakistan have improved their rating from 99 points before the start of the UAE series to 108 following their series win, and stand fifth.

Though Pakistan have not climbed up the championship table, they are now just three ratings points behind India and Australia, and nine ratings points behind number-two ranked South Africa.

Incidentally, England have not lost their No 1 rank despite the huge defeat but have plummeted from 125 ratings points to 118 to lead second-ranked South Africa by just one ratings point.

England could lose their No 1 rank to South Africa at the April 1 annual cut-off date for the coveted prize of $175,000 (Dh642,792). However to win that amount, the Proteas will have to win all the three Tests against New Zealand which will be played in New Zealand from March 7 to 27.

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