Fakhar, Khushdil return to Pakistan's 15-man squad for Champions Trophy

Dashing batsman Fakhar Zaman has returned to Pakistan's 15-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy but rising fellow-opener Saim Ayub is out injured, selectors said on Friday. All-rounder Khushdil Shah also returns to the squad.

Fakhar Zaman, 34, last played for Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies last year but has since been out with a knee injury.

"Zaman's return is a significant boost for our top-order," selector Asad Shafiq said in a Pakistan Cricket Board release.
"His aggressive approach and match-winning capabilities are vital to our plans," he said.

Ayub was ruled out after the 22-year-old smashed a century in Zimbabwe and two more in the 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in November and December. Shafiq said Ayub would be missed.

"We recognise how devastating it must be for Ayub to miss a global event, especially when he is in such exceptional batting form but his recovery is important," Shafiq said.

Pakistan is hosting the eight-nation Champions Trophy using a hybrid model after India refused to tour there because of political tensions. India will instead play their matches in Dubai.

The squad, to be led by Mohammad Rizwan, includes three members from the 2017 title-winning side -- Zaman, Babar Azam and Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan face New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament in Karachi on February 19, before playing India in Dubai on February 23 and then Bangladesh in Rawalpindi four days later.

The same 15-man squad will also play in a three-way series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy.

Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed

Agence France-Presse