Pakistan announce World Cup squad, Mohammad Amir dropped

Muhammad Aamir has been dropped from the World Cup squad.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief selector of Pakistan cricket team and legendary middle order batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq on Thursday announced the squad for forthcoming ICC World Cup 2019.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday, he said that fast bowler Muhammad Aamir has been dropped from the World Cup squad.

The World Cup squad include Pakistan World Cup squad include, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Hasnain and Junaid Khan.

Four other players selected for the World Cup are: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, 19-year-old Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Imam and Shaheen have featured in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 and 2018, respectively.

The selectors have also named Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir for the England T20I and ODIs to be played in the lead up to the World Cup from 5-19 May. Mohammad Amir was also part of the ICC Champions Trophy winning squad, and the two players will also serve as cover for the World Cup squad and, if required, can be drafted into the side until 23 May without ICC permission.

The World Cup squad is a combination of three openers, four middle-order batsmen, wicketkeeper/batsman in Sarfaraz Ahmed, two spinners and five fast bowlers.

Haq said that the side had been picked according to the conditions and included reliable batters, trusted wicket-taking bowlers and dynamic fielders. “In England and Wales, conditions play a critical role. With this in mind, we have selected a three-dimensional side, which gives the captain a wide range of options of whatever game plan he chooses on a match day.

“We have experienced batters, who are backed up by bowlers with plenty of variety and variation to exploit any type of conditions. “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.”

Regarding his selections, Inzamam said: “While picking the side, we’ve tried to cover all bases by assessing our strengths as well as analysing each opponent, the match venues and the event format."

“Hafeez has not played any cricket for the past 10-odd weeks, but he has always featured in our plans. Although his inclusion in the World Cup squad is subject to fitness, yesterday we got a boost when he started playing with tennis ball with his doctor confirming he will be available for selection for the series against England. Our World Cup opener is on 31 May against the Windies, which is still six weeks away, and we are confident he will be fully fit and ready to display his vast international experience.

“Abid Ali and Mohammad Hasnain have been selected after they cleared their fitness tests at the National Cricket Academy on Thursday morning.

“Abid is the third opener in the side, and has earned a place following a string of high scores, including a magnificent century on debut against Australia last month. Hasnain has been selected due to his sheer pace and speed. He may not have played many ODIs but he has already made an impact by making the top batsmen hop and run in his brief career while also picking up wickets.

Pakistan squad for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019

Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper, captain) Abid Ali Babar Azam Faheem Ashraf Fakhar Zaman Haris Sohail Hasan Ali Imad Wasim Imam-ul-Haq Junaid Khan Mohammad Hafeez Mohammad Hasnain Shadab Khan Shaheen Shah Afridi Shoaib Malik

Additional players for England T20I and ODIs

Asif Ali Mohammad Amir

Pakistan cricket team’s schedule of England

Series v England

27 April – v Kent (50-over practice match) (d) 29 April – v Northamptonshire (50-over match) (d) 1 May – v Leicestershire (T20 match) (d/n) 5 May – v England (only T20I), Cardiff (d) 8 May – 1st ODI v England, The Oval (d/n) 11 May – 2nd ODI v England, Hampshire (d) 14 May – 3rd ODI v England, Bristol (d/n) 17 May – 4th ODI v England, Trent Bridge (d/n) 19 May – 5th ODI v England, Leeds (d)

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 schedule

24 May – v Afghanistan (warm-up), Bristol (d) 26 May – v Bangladesh (warm-up), Cardiff (d) 31 May – v Windies, Trent Bridge (d) 3 June – v England, Trent Bridge (d) 7 June – v Sri Lanka, Bristol (d) 12 June – v Australia, Taunton (d) 16 June – v India, Old Trafford (d) 23 June – v South Africa, Lord’s (d) 26 June – v New Zealand, Edgbaston (d) 29 June – v Afghanistan, Headingley (d) 5 July – v Bangladesh, Lord’s (d/n)