Mohammad Amir was not included in Pakistan’s World Cup squad

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir has been left out of Pakistan’s World Cup squad, while opener Abid Ali and pace bowler Mohammad Hasnain have been included.

Amir’s form in ODIs has been dismal since the conclusion of the Champions Trophy in June 2017 as he has taken five wickets in 14 matches at an average of 92.60.

However, he has been included in Pakistan’s squad for the five-match ODI series against England, which will run from May 8 to 19.

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Amir was not the only left-arm fast bowler to miss out as Usman Khan Shinwari suffered the same fate.

Shinwari was exceptional during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he picked up 13 wickets in nine matches for the Karachi Kings at an average of 23.23.

As for Abid and Hasnain, both made their international debuts during the recent five-match ODI series against Australia.

Abid starred on debut in the fourth ODI as he struck a brilliant 112. However, even though he was dismissed for a golden duck in the fifth ODI, he finished with an average of 56.

As for Hasnain, he took two wickets in three games at an average of 78.

The 19-year-old was called up to the national team for his performance in the PSL, where he claimed 12 wickets in seven games for the Quetta Gladiators at an average of 17.58.

Meanwhile, big hitter Asif Ali was left out, even though he had a solid campaign at the PSL, where he accumulated 281 runs in 12 games for Islamabad United, which included two half-centuries, at an average of 35.12 and an incredible strike-rate of 182.46.

It should also be noted that Hafeez has been picked subject to proving he is fit as he is still recovering from a second surgery he underwent on his thumb.

“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,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 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. 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.”

Mohammad Rizwan was also among those who weren’t picked.

The wicketkeeper-batsman shone in the Australia ODI series as he amassed 231 runs in five matches, which included two centuries, at an average of 57.75.

“The six players we had rested for the Australia series were automatic selections at the World Cup for us,” Inzamam said. “As it happens, our captain Sarfraz Ahmed is a wicketkeeper and he has delivered for Pakistan over several years. Rizwan is our second wicketkeeper, and his performance is good to see. Him not being selected certainly doesn’t make him a bad player.”

While Pakistan have announced their squad, they will have until May 23 to finalise it without seeking permission from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Pakistan will kick off their World Cup campaign against the West Indies in Nottingham on May 31.

Pakistan’s World Cup Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez (subject to fitness), Sarfraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Sohail

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