Don’t rule out Hafeez for ODI series against England: Arthur

KENT: Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur on Thursday said Mohammad Hafeez should not be ruled out of the ODI series against England.

Ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Pakistan will face England in a T20 and ODI series beginning on May 5.

“He [Hafeez] has bowled and he has fielded. Hafeez is ahead of where we want him and that’s great news. He has been doing a lot of work so don’t rule out Hafeez in the one-day series,” Arthur said.

Hafeez is recovering from an injury sustained during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and has been included in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the World Cup.

The coach said the team had been practising in English conditions which is invaluable for them. “The players have been brilliant and our preparation has been outstanding,” Arthur added.

Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against West Indies on May 31 against West Indies. Mohammad Amir was left out of the 15-member squad with Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hassan Ali expected to lead the Pakistan pace attack.