Opener Mohammad Hafeez, who had injury concerns lately, was named in the Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan Test squad for the upcoming away series against England, Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector announced Sunday.
The right-hander underwent an MRI scan last week in Karachi, which revealed that the condition of his knee has not improved.
He missed a two-week-long fitness training programme at Pakistan Military Academy (Kakul), due to a knee injury sustained during the Asia Cup T20 earlier this year.
However, the 35-year-old managed to make his place in the 21-man probable list for the England tour which was announced last week.
His prospects of accompanying the team remained bleak after his medical report said his knee condition was ‘unsatisfactory’.
Hafeez’s inclusion raises questions as the Inzamam-led committee clearly put fitness as the most important criteria for selection.
A fitness test in Lahore, a fitness boot camp in Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul and a skill camp in Lahore again was conducted before the announcement of the squad.
Amir’s selection depending on visa arrival
Pacer Mohammad Amir has been named in the Pakistan squad too but is still waiting for the arrival of his visa.
Amir’s last visit to England saw him get involved in spot-fixing and serve a jail sentence which has cast doubts over his visa prospects.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board is confident that the issue will be resolved on time.
Pakistan will face England in four Tests, five ODIs and one T20 match in the tour which kicks off with the first Test on July 14.
Pakistan Test Squad
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez (subject to fitness), Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.
