South Africa vs Pakistan: Asif Ali called back to ODI side, replaces injured Saud Shakeel

Pakistan tour of South Africa: Pakistan’s designated finisher Asif Ali is likely to make an ODI comeback in the upcoming white-ball tour of South Africa as he replaces uncapped Saud Shakeel in the squad.

Asif Ali could make an ODI comeback for Pakistan in the upcoming three-match series in South Africa. The lower-order batsman last appeared in an ODI for Pakistan in June 2019, during the World Cup in England. The opening ODI will be played on SuperSport Park in Pretoria on April 2. The 29-year-old right-handed batsman, who was already a part of the T20I squad, has replaced an injured Saud Shakeel, an uncapped talent. According to PCB’s media release, the young middle-order batsman suffered a quadriceps tear to his left leg during Wednesday's 50-over-a-side practice match in Lahore. On Thursday, PCB confirmed that all members of the South Africa-bound Pakistan white-ball squad, including 22 cricketers and 13 officials, have returned negative results for the coronavirus. As the result, the full squad will depart for Johannesburg in South Africa on a chartered flight on Friday, March 26.