The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the provisional 15-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The selectors decided to exclude their premium pacer Mohammad Amir from the team and opted for the in-form players. However, he will travel to England with the team for ODI and T20I series where he is named as reserves for the series, which will be played before the World Cup.
Inzamam ul Haq-led selection panel neglected wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, who scored two centuries against Australia in his debut series. Sarfraz Ahmed returned in the team and will lead Pakistan in the World Cup. Abid Ali is included in the team as the third opener along with Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman. Young fast-bowler Mohammad Hasnain will feature in the pacer battery, which features Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, and Shaheed Shah Afridi.
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Both Abid and Hasnain cleared the Yo-Yo Test yesterday after which selectors decided to include them in the final squad.
On the other hand, Mohammad Hafeez returned in the team after nursing a finger injury. Which he sustained during the Pakistan Super League. Shoaib Malik, Haris Sohail, and Sarfraz Ahmed will feature along with him in the middle order. While Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf secured the all-rounder’s spot in the lineup.
Chief selector Inzamam ul Haq said while revealing the squad, “This is more or less the side we have been playing since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. I have absolute trust that this side has grown further in experience and stature since 2017. Supported by the flare, skill, talent and killing-instinct, this side has the capability and potential to rise to the occasion and produce strong performances.”
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Meanwhile, he did mention that the final squad is to be finalized before May 23 and it can remain unchanged but he didn’t rue the chances of reserve players being inserted into the squad. “That’s something which is granted to every team, not only us. I hope that none of our players gets unfit, but if some untoward incident happens, we can always go to our bench strength,” he added.
Pakistan is scheduled to arrive in England on April 23. They will take on the hosts in a T20I and five ODIs before the World Cup. Their England fixtures will be preceded by two one-dayers and a T20 against county sides.
Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez (subject to fitness), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain.
