Pakistan Announce 15 Squad for CWC 2015

[Musafir117]

Fawad out, Sohail Khan the big surprise in WC squad - Sport - DAWN.COM

Pakistan announced their 15-man World Cup squad on Wednesday, leaving out Fawad Alam and Umar Gul and including pace bowler Sohail Khan who last played international cricket in 2011.

Veteran batsman Younis Khan, who hit a purple patch in Test cricket but was mediocre in the recent ODIs against New Zealand, was also included in the squad.

Left-hand middle-order batsman Fawad Alam, who has been Pakistan's most reliable ODI batsman of late, will feel unlucky to have missed out, the selectors instead preferring another player in similar mould, Haris Sohail.

“We did consider both of them [Fawad and Malik], but in the end we believe Haris Sohail bowled well in the series against New Zealand with his left-arm bowling,” chief selector Moin Khan said.

“He also gives us an added advantage of being a left-handed batsman.”

Fast bowler Junaid Khan also returned from a knee injury after missing the series against New Zealand, and will lead Pakistan's pace attack with Mohammad Irfan.

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.

Khan said the team was selected after consultation with Misbah and coach Waqar Younis.

“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, a member of Pakistan's only World Cup winning side in Australia in1992.

Squad:

Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz ahmed, Younis Khan, Harris Sohail, Misbah ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Ria

 

[Jazzbot]

This team lacks in bowling department which has been our strength over the years. Apart from Junaid and Irfan all other fast bowlers are yet to prove themselves at international level, spin department has suffered huge setback due to exclusion of Saeed Ajmal and Hafeez.

In batting, youngster Sami Aslam should have been included as he has scored a lot of runs at domestic level, don't forget his various centuries at Australian pitches during Pak U19 tour of Aus and previous U19 WC. So he could have come handy in those conditions as an opener.

Umer Akmal and Yunas Khan, I believe are burden on this team, lets see if they can justify yet another opportunity. I'd prefer Fawad over Shoaib Maqsood though.

Finally, thanks God Sohail Tanveer is not in the team.

 

[WishLivePak]

Muhammad Hafeez? He's weak vs pace (Steyn) and he can't bowl per icc. Should've used fawad instead.

 

[Archie]

What about Lala,

Is he in the team

 

[Musafir117]

What about Lala,

Is he in the team

No name start or in end find in squad

 

[Musafir117]

We don't have an off spinner and one recognize all rounder in team, time again to go with pray instead of play.
In such population we don't have or can't find talent, sigh!

 

[xyxmt]

Ab duaoon ka waqt hay

 

[CENTCOM]

I am not in favor of selecting Younis Khan in the ODI team. I think Fawad alam, even though he is not a big hitter of the ball, would've been a better choice. I would've also selected Umar Gul or Bilawal Bhatti over Wahab Riaz. I can't remember the last time Wahab Riaz won us a match with his performance. Nonetheless, I am still optimistic because I do believe we have match winners in the team. I really think and hope that players like Umar Akmal, M. Irfan, S Maqsood and Junaid Khan have the ability to win us the matches.

Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

 

[Musafir117]

I am not in favor of selecting Younis Khan in the ODI team. I think Fawad alam, even though he is not a big hitter of the ball, would've been a better choice. I would've also selected Umar Gul or Bilawal Bhatti over Wahab Riaz. I can't remember the last time Wahab Riaz won us a match with his performance. Nonetheless, I am still optimistic because I do believe we have match winners in the team. I really think and hope that players like Umar Akmal, M. Irfan, S Maqsood and Junaid Khan have the ability to win us the matches.

Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

US$COM you guys better decide to post here as Qudus or Ali khan.

 

[Jaanbaz]

Discrimination against Urdu Speaking players from Karachi yet again.

 

[chauvunist]

Discrimination against Urdu Speaking players from Karachi yet again.

Jiay Altaf bhai...Billi ke khwab mein bas chechray ao MQM walo ki dimagh mein sirf lisaniat hi nazar aati hai...

 

[Jungibaaz]

Huge mistake not playing Fawad Alam, only reliable Middle order man. He can keep the runs coming at a steady and reliable pace, even if he isn't a match winner, his support at the other end, hardly anyone in that list can provide. And the bowling is super weak.

I sure hope Umar Akmal has matured a bit, he has a bad habit of literally throwing his wicket away, playing aggressive is fine, but almost every time I watch him, I can tell a few balls before he goes that he's playing unsafe and looks like he's gonna go. I also hope Misbah performs, we need him now more than ever.

I am not in favor of selecting Younis Khan in the ODI team. I think Fawad alam, even though he is not a big hitter of the ball, would've been a better choice. I would've also selected Umar Gul or Bilawal Bhatti over Wahab Riaz. I can't remember the last time Wahab Riaz won us a match with his performance. Nonetheless, I am still optimistic because I do believe we have match winners in the team. I really think and hope that players like Umar Akmal, M. Irfan, S Maqsood and Junaid Khan have the ability to win us the matches.

Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

My Pakistani brother, congrats on infiltrating the CENTCOM.

(just kidding...)

 

[BDforever]

Fawad out, Sohail Khan the big surprise in WC squad - Sport - DAWN.COM
View attachment 182014

Pakistan announced their 15-man World Cup squad on Wednesday, leaving out Fawad Alam and Umar Gul and including pace bowler Sohail Khan who last played international cricket in 2011.

Veteran batsman Younis Khan, who hit a purple patch in Test cricket but was mediocre in the recent ODIs against New Zealand, was also included in the squad.

Left-hand middle-order batsman Fawad Alam, who has been Pakistan's most reliable ODI batsman of late, will feel unlucky to have missed out, the selectors instead preferring another player in similar mould, Haris Sohail.

“We did consider both of them [Fawad and Malik], but in the end we believe Haris Sohail bowled well in the series against New Zealand with his left-arm bowling,” chief selector Moin Khan said.

“He also gives us an added advantage of being a left-handed batsman.”

Fast bowler Junaid Khan also returned from a knee injury after missing the series against New Zealand, and will lead Pakistan's pace attack with Mohammad Irfan.

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.

Khan said the team was selected after consultation with Misbah and coach Waqar Younis.

“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, a member of Pakistan's only World Cup winning side in Australia in1992.

Squad:

Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz ahmed, Younis Khan, Harris Sohail, Misbah ul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Ria

where is Umal Gul ?

 

[Green Arrow]

Bad selection I guess. Fawad should have been in.

 

[WishLivePak]

I am not in favor of selecting Younis Khan in the ODI team. I think Fawad alam, even though he is not a big hitter of the ball, would've been a better choice. I would've also selected Umar Gul or Bilawal Bhatti over Wahab Riaz. I can't remember the last time Wahab Riaz won us a match with his performance. Nonetheless, I am still optimistic because I do believe we have match winners in the team. I really think and hope that players like Umar Akmal, M. Irfan, S Maqsood and Junaid Khan have the ability to win us the matches.

Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

Younis does bring experience. What we didn't need is Hafeez. He likely won't be bowling, so having a batsman rather than all rounder would've been better choice. We already have 2-3 spinners in team as well.