In a recently released list of 23 probables, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to leave the likes of Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal and Ahmed Shehzad for the final fitness test ahead of the World Cup.
After a consultation with head coach Mickey Arthur, the selection committee, led by former player Inzamam ul Haq, has invited 23 players for a two-day fitness test – scheduled for April 15th and 16th – after which the final squad will be announced on April 18th.
Akmal, who recently scored an unbeaten 136 during Balochistan’s six-wicket win over Punjab in the ongoing Pakistan Cup, was recalled for the ODI series against Australia last month after more than a two-and-half-year axe. He, however, came in the limelight for the wrongdoings after he was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for partying beyond midnight before the fifth ODI.
Wahab Riaz, on the other hand, took five wickets in the Pakistan Cup on Wednesday, but along with Ahmed Shehzad, he has been left out for the probables.
There have been several surprising inclusions with most of the players, who debuted against Australia, have been called. The list includes Mohammad Abbas, Shan Masood and Mohammad Hasnain. Also in the list are Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah, who haven’t been prolific of late.
Amir, since the 2017 Champions Trophy, has failed to deliver impressive numbers, while Yasir flunked his audition as well. Part of Pakistan’s ODI squad against Australia, the spinner managed mere four wickets in five games at an average of 70.75.
Pakistan will leave for England on April 23 and will play their tournament opener against Windies on May 31.
23-man list: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hassan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, Usman Shinwari, Yasir Shah
