Pakistan cricket boss is set to forgive enfant terribles Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shahzad and are likely to include them in the only Twenty20 international against England next month.
Both Umar and Shahzad were not selected for the five-match one-day series against England. Shahzad had been a regular part of the all three formats but Umar was only playing in the shortest format since axed from Tests in 2011 and one-day after the World Cup 2015.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman had openly said in the media that both were punished for indiscipline.
Both were involved in incidents of discipline during the Pakistan Cuo, a few weeks from the start of the tour of England, which became reason for them not included in an Army Boot Camp.
Former head coach Waqar Younis also described both Shahzad and Umar as troublesome players who were not ready to change.
However, sources said there were political lobbies who were putting pressure on cricket officials to forgive them.
That seems to have paid off and on Thursday PCB chairman met Umar.
“The chairman PCB called in Umar for a one-on-one meeting and explained to him the reasons for his exclusion from the national team on disciplinary grounds. Umar committed himself to avoiding future incidents of a disciplinary nature and dedicated himself whole-heartedly to the welfare of the team,” a PCB release said.
“Accordingly Chairman PCB has informed the chief selector that Umar would be eligible for future selection. A similar interaction is proposed for Ahmad Shahzad on his return from abroad,” the release said.