Pakistan today announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, from February 14 to March 29.
The team was announced by Chief Selector Moin Khan who told reporters that this would be a special World Cup for him.
“After 23 years Pakistan will play the World Cup in Australia after it won the tournament there in 1992,” Khan said.
Misbah-ul-Haq will captain the team which includes Muhammad Hafeez as a true opener along with Ahmed Shahzed. “We selected the squad after thorough consultation… and although no one can give assurances of results, we are hopeful that the team will do well,” said Khan.
Pakistan, placed in Group B, will open its campaign with a highly-charged clash against arch-rivals and defending champions India in Adelaide on February 15 followed by matches against the West Indies, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Ireland.
The top four teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the quarter-finals, leading up to the final in Melbourne on March 29.
Paceman Sohail Khan was a surprise inclusion after he took ten wickets in three games in a domestic match in Karachi. The 30-year-old bowler played the last of his five one-day internationals in Zimbabwe in 2011.
Pakistan´s pace attack will comprise of lanky Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz and Sohail.
Pacemen Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir and batsmen Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik failed to make the cut over recent poor form.
The Pakistan team will have its training camp for the World Cup in Lahore from 13-17 January and will depart for New Zealand on 21 January. The team will play ODI matches with New Zealand prior to the start of the tournament.
Team: Ahmed Shahzad, Muhammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Yasir Shah, Muhammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz
Manager: Naveed Akram Cheema; Head Coach: Waqar Younis; Batting Coach: Grant Flower; Spin Bowling Coach: Mushtaq Ahmed; Fielding Coach/Trainer: Grand Luden; Physiotherapist: Brad Robinson; Assistant Manager: Shahid Aslam; Media Manager: Agha Akbar; Security officer: Col. (Retd) Muhammad Azam Khan; Analyst: Talha Butt
shuold be kamran and malik