Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir join Pakistan World Cup's 15-men squad

Pakistan cricket selection committee picked on Monday Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali in the final 15-men World Cup 2019 squad.

Asif Ali make his World Cup debut in place of opening batsman Abid Ali, which chief selector Inzamam ul Haq admitted was ‘a tough’ decision. “The way Asif Ali bat in the series, so we thought that we should have player at sixth, seventh spot that could accelerate the run rate, that’s the reason we have selected Asif in place of Abid Ali,” he said.

We are planning to send Asif to USA informed Inzamam, after his two year old daughter passed away after battling cancer on Sunday. She was in United States for her cancer treatment.

Fast bowler Wahab Riaz comes into the place of all rounder Faheem Ashraf, whereas, Mohammad Amir was picked in place of Junaid Khan.

“The difference during the England tour was due to fielding, so we realize in England that the bowler who know to ball with the old ball and is able to reverse swing they can be more effective, so Wahab Riaz is an experienced bowler ticked the two spots as well.

“Amir is one of our senior bowlers and has a vast experience in England, and he has a good experience, we needed experience in our bowling in shape of Amir and Wahab.”

Leg spinner Shadab Khan has returned to the squad after he was found to fit to play, informed chief selector Inzamam ul Haq. “The inclusion of Shadad was an automatic selection, and will play in place of Yasir Shah,” he said.

Pakistan World Cup 15-Men Squad:

Sarfraz Ahmed (Capt), Asif Ali, Babar Zaman, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnian, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz

The following is the Pakistan cricket team’s schedule of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 matches:

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)