ISLAMABAD — Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled the flamboyant Shahid Afridi and former captain Shoaib Malik for next month's One-Day International series in South Africa. Both all-rounders played in December in the drawn Twenty20 series against India but were ignored for the one-day series. However, the selectors have turned back to the old pros after Pakistan's batsmen struggled in the ongoing Test series against the Proteas. Pakistan trails 2-0 in the three-Test series with the last Test beginning at Centurion from Friday. Middle-order batsman Umar Akmal, who missed out on the Test team, also returns to give the struggling lineup some impetus. Durban and Centurion will host the two Twenty20s on March 1 and 3 before the five-match ODI series begins at Bloemfontein on March 10. Teams: One-day — Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan. Twenty20 — Mohammad Hafeez (captain), Nasir Jamshed, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Amin, Zulfiqar Babar, Asad Ali, Junaid Khan. South Africa retains Du Plessis as T20 captain South Africa has retained Faf du Plessis as captain of its T20 squad for the two-match cricket series against Pakistan starting on March 1 after AB de Villiers asked not to be considered for the role. De Villiers will remain in charge of the One-Day International (ODI) set-up, giving South Africa different skippers in all three formats of the game. Du Plessis was in charge for the 2-1 T20 series victory over New Zealand last month. Cricket South Africa announced their squads for the shortened versions of the game Wednesday, with the side also set to take on Pakistan in five ODI matches in March. “Handing Faf the T20 captaincy is an exciting option for us to explore our leadership resources,” coach Gary Kirsten said. “He showed a lot of potential during the series against New Zealand in both the T20 and ODI formats, and this will be another great opportunity for him to work on his role as a leader. Morne Morkel should be sufficiently recovered from his hamstring injury to play in the ODI series but will be replaced by new cap Kyle Abbott for the T20 matches. South Africa has rested Jacques Kallis from both its ODI and T20 squads, while Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn have been given time off for the T20 series as well. South Africa ODI squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. South Africa T20 squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Robbie Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. — Reuters
