World Cup 2019: Pakistan announce 15-man squad, leave out Mohammad Amir

The Pakistan selectors have named a strong squad for the upcoming World Cup in England, with the major surprise being the omission of fast bowler Mohammad Amir. Amir was the star performer a couple of years back when Pakistan surprised the world and lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in England by beating India in the final.

The team will be led by wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed, whose place in the squad was believed to be in jeopardy by some due to the performances of Shoaib Malik as the skipper and Mohammad Rizwan as the keeper. The selectors though have decided to back the experienced campaigner and will hope that the skipper leads the side well where Pakistan are expected to perform well.

Pakistan name squad for ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.#WeHaveWeWill
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— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 18, 2019

Pakistan’s pace attack will be their biggest strength heading into the tournament with the quartet of Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Afridi all having the ability to run through the opposition batting order if the conditions are in their favour. Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been picked up as the bowling all-rounders in the side, but it very much seems as though Pakistan are investing most of their hopes in their pace attack.

As far as the batting department is concerned, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik will be tasked with the responsibility of scoring the bulk of the runs for the side. Mohammad Hafeez has also been included in the squad, but his place in the final side will only be confirmed subject to a late fitness test.

Pakistan will open their campaign at the World Cup against the West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. They will also have a long time to prepare for the tournament as they are set to face hosts England in a 5-match ODI series and a one-off T20I match before the start of the World Cup. They will also participate in a couple of warm-up fixtures against Afghanistan and Bangladesh before the tournament begins.

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