Hafeez added to Pakistan squad for Australia ODI series

Islamabad [Pakistan], Jan. 8 (ANI): Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been added to the national squad for the upcoming five-match ODI series against Australia. Hafeez will head to Australia as the 16th member of the squad at the behest of request from Pakistan's team management and skipper Azhar Ali. "The selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq today received a request from Pakistan team management comprising coach Mickey Arthur and captain Azhar Ali for sending Mohammad Hafeez to Australia for the ODI series," ESPNcricinfo quoted a PCB release as saying. "The selection committee has decided to accept the request of the team management and chairman of the PCB has approved the same. Hafeez will join the team shortly as the 16th member in Australia," he added. Hafeez's lack of runs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy National Cricket Championship has been overlooked where he scored just 248 runs at 31.00. The 36-year-old has, however, recently passed to resume bowling, picking up 11 wickets in the competition. Hafeez, who had been out of international contention since being dropped during the tour of England last year, did not feature at all against West Indies in the UAE or on Pakistan's tour of New Zealand. The all-rounder, who appeared in 50 Tests, 177 ODIs and 77 T20s for Pakistan, has been facing problems with his bowling action since 2014. He was also handed a ban by the ICC twice for an illegal bowling action, firstly in December 2014 which later got cleared in April 2015 and second in July last year for 12 months. The five-match series will begin on January 13 at the Gabba and will end on January 26 at the Adelaide Oval. (ANI)