Lahore: All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been retained for the remaining series against New Zealand despite his bowling action being reported.
Hafeez's action was reported as suspect by match officials after the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, which Pakistan won by 248 runs for a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Under the International Cricket Council rules on suspect bowling action, Hafeez has 21 days to have a mandatory bio-mechanic assessment of his action. But in that period he is allowed to bowl at international level.
Pakistan Cricket Board has announced 15 member squad for next two test matches against New Zealand.
There is only one change to the side that won the successive Abu Dhabi Tests against Australia and New Zealand, said chief selector and manager Moin Khan on Friday.
“The change has been forced on us owing to head injury to opener Ahmed Shehzad. Team Pakistan is keen and confident of maintaining its winning sequence in the remaining two Tests as well,” he explained.
Shehzad hit a career-best 176 in the first Test but suffered a fracture on skull after being hit by a bouncer from New Zealand seamer Corey Anderson on Monday.
One from Shan Masood or Taufiq Umar is likely to replace Shehzad.
The second Test commences on November 17 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while the third Test will be played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from November 26.
The 15-member squad (in alphabetical order):
Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shan Masood, Taufiq Umar, Yasir Shah, Younus Khan and Zulfiqar Babar
