Shoaib Malik recalled to Pakistan side for Twenty20s against Zimbabwe

Lahore: Pakistan cricket selectors on Tuesday recalled fast bowler Mohammad Sami after an absence of almost three years for a two-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe.

Sami, 34, has been overlooked since he played the last of his five T20s against Sri Lanka in June 2012.

All-rounder Shoaib Malik, who last competed in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in 2014, also returns after leading the Sialkot Stallions to the domestic T20 title on Monday.

Middle order batsman Umar Akmal, who failed to impress in the World Cup earlier this year, was recalled after being omitted from the series against Bangladesh.

Two uncapped players - Immad Wasim and Noman Anwar - were rewarded for their impressive performance in recent domestic matches.

Zimbabwe arrived early Tuesday amid tight security to play two Twenty20s and three one-day internationals at Gaddafi Stadium. Zimbabwe is the first test playing nation to tour Pakistan in six years since international matches in Pakistan were suspended after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus - also in Lahore - in 2009.

Squad:

Shahid Afridi (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Mukhtar Ahmed, Noman Anwar, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Mohammad Rizwan, Anwar Ali, Hammad Azam, Immad Wasim, Bilawal Bhatti, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami.