LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been dropped from Pakistan's 15-member squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from May 30. Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hassan Ali are expected to lead the Pakistani pace attack. All-rounder Muhammad Hafeez's availability in the squad is subjected to his fitness, said the chief selector. Meanwhile, Abid Ali has been chosen as a third opener in the squad. "Amir is an experienced bowler but unfortunately, his performance has not been as per par from last one year. I pray that he gets his rhythm back as seen in Champions Trophy final," Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said. Amir and Asif Ali will accompany the team for the upcoming bilateral series against England, the chief selector announced. “Asif is probably the best power-hitter in Pakistan, while Amir has the experience and a good record in England," he said, adding, “These two [Asif and Amir] will provide cover to the World Cup squad and can be drafted into the side by May 23, if required.” The selector admitted that 'a little favour' was given to Imad Wasim as despite failing the fitness test he was selected for the World Cup squad. “Our World Cup opener is on May 31 against the Windies, which is still six weeks away, and we are confident he will be fully fit and ready to display his vast international experience.” All World Cup-bound players will take part in further training sessions and attend open media sessions at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 20 and 21. Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur will hold their joint departure press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 22. The team is scheduled to depart for England on Tuesday, April 23. Pakistan will play their first World Cup match against West Indies at Trent Bridge on May 31, after playing warmup matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan squad for World Cup 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 World Cup Fixtures: Pakistan vs West Indies: Friday 31 May, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham Pakistan vs England: Monday 3 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Friday 7 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Bristol Country Ground, Bristol Pakistan vs Australia: Wednesday 12 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: The Country Ground, Taunton Pakistan vs India: Sunday 16 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester Pakistan vs South Africa: Sunday 23 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Lord’s London Pakistan vs New Zealand: Wednesday 26 June, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham Pakistan vs Afghanistan: Saturday 29 June: 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Headingly, Leeds Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Friday 5 July, 14:30 PST (9:30 GMT) – Venue: Lord’s, London<doc-sep>ICC World Cup 2019: Michael Vaughan picks his England squad for the tournament He has made a couple of surprising inclusions in the team. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is all set to announce the squad for the upcoming World Cup starting from May 30. More than anything, there is an air of excitement around Jofra Archer’s selection who is now eligible to play for England. Even Eoin Morgan has confirmed that Archer will get a chance to prove his mettle in the Pakistan series. But with the ICC setting the squad announcement deadline to April 23, they will have to take a call now. England squad for the World Cup is set to be announced on Wednesday and Michael Vaughan, like many cricket experts, has put forth his team for the tournament. There are not many surprises in Vaughan’s 15-man group and he has included Jofra Archer in his team who is doing well currently in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Vaughan makes a surprise inclusion Michael Vaughan, as expected, went with Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow as the openers with Alex Hales as the back-up opener. He can also bat at number three depending on the injury concerns or the conditions during the tournament. England’s Test captain Joe Root will undoubtedly bat at number three while Eoin Morgan and Ben Stokes will follow him. Though Jofra Archer’s inclusion might hurt one of the bowlers in the final squad, Michael Vaughan has managed to include the likes of Liam Plunkett and David Willey along with Chris Woakes in the team. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali are the two spinners in the line-up. The surprise inclusion in this team is of Joe Denly who has played only nine ODIs so far and his last appearance for England in the format was way back in 2009. With England selectors set to announce the 15-man squad soon, it will be interesting to see if they agree with Vaughan’s team. Here’s Vaughan’s tweet: [interaction id=”5cb5c266b712a3168eb0194d”]<doc-sep>
LAHORE: Pakistan squad has been announced for the tour of England to play the series against the hosts and later the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. Chairman selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board Inzamam-ul-Haq announced the squad at a press conference here on Thursday. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir has been dropped from the preliminary 15-man squad for next month´s World Cup. The 27-year-old has been in wretched form with just four wickets in 14 matches. But the left-arm fast bowler, who missed the 2011 and 2015 World Cup due to a five-year ban on match fixing imposed in 2010, has a lifeline as teams can be changed until May 23 -- seven days before the ten-team event starts. Allrounder Mohammad Hafeez was included in the World Cup squad subject to fully recovering from a fractured thumb he sustained during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February this year. Amir is included in the 17-man squad -- as one of two additions to the 15-man Cup squad -- for the five-match one-day series against England from May 5-19 and can regain a place for the World Cup if he performs well. There was a surprise World Cup call-up for 19-year-old rookie fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain who bowled at 150kph in the PSL earlier this year. Sarfraz Ahmed will lead both the squads. Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain Two for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali.