Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced its 15-member squad for the first ODI against Zimbabwe which would be played in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Taking to Twitter, the PCB announced the 15-member squad for the first match.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB/status/1321719262495518725

Babar Azam has been named as captain while Mohammad Rizwan was chosen as wicketkeeper for the match. However, Shadab Khan, the vice-captain, was not available due to a strain injury and the medical board confirmed that he was unavailable.

Strict security arrangements have been made for the first ODI match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe on Friday (tomorrow).

Veteran Mohammad Hafeez and National T20 starlets Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali were among the notable absentees. Shafique had turned heads during the recently concluded domestic tournament whereas Haider had made his name with his debut half-century against England.

However, both were cut as head coach Misbah-ul-Haq preferred proven, established quality over experimentation.

Mohammad Hafeez, who was also excellent in the National T20 Cup, also missed out as so do young wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, vice-captain Shadab Khan (injury), spinner Zafar Gohar and pacer Mohammad Hasnain.