Amir missing in Pakistan’s provisional World Cup squad

Karachi: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir was left out of Pakistan’s 15-man preliminary World Cup squad but will feature in their warm-up games against England, the country’s cricket board (PCB) said on Thursday. Since producing a match-winning three-wicket haul in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Amir has taken just five ODI wickets in 101 overs at an average of 92.60 per wicket. The 27-year-old, however, will get a chance to impress the selectors in a limited-overs series against England, which begins with a T20I in Cardiff on May 5. Big-hitting batsman Asif Ali also features in the 17-man group for the England games, with Pakistan having until May 23 to finalise their World Cup squad. “Asif is probably the best power-hitter in Pakistan, while Amir has the experience and a good record in England,” Inzamam-ul-Haq, former captain and chairman of Pakistan’s selection committee, said in a statement. “These two will provide cover to the World Cup squad and can be drafted into the side by May 23, if required,” he added. Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was also selected in the World Cup group but subject to passing a fitness test ahead of the tournament. — Reuters 

Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper and 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 Afridi, Shoaib Malik