Pakistan announces World Cup Squad, Amir left out

Islamabad: Fast bowler Mohammad Amir was omitted from Pakistan's 15-man preliminary squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup,  announced on Thursday. 

However, Amir was named in a pool of 17 players for five ODIs against England in May before the World Cup. The hard-hitting batsman Asif Ali also missed the World Cup but like Amir is in the ODI squad to play England.

Amir was expected to be in the squad despite taking just five wickets since the 2017 Champions Trophy final, but he has lost out to Junaid Khan. 

Getting maiden World Cup call-ups are the top-order batsman Abid Ali and rookie fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain. Sarfraz Ahmed returns as captain of Pakistan for the World Cup, having been rested for the ODIs against Australia in the UAE.

They have also included two very experienced players, with each of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez having featured at the Men's Cricket World Cup 2007. 

Senior batsman Mohammad Hafeez was also picked, but his inclusion will be subject to fitness. Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign on May 31 against West Indies at Trent Bridge.

Pakistan World  Cup Squad: 

Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk, c), 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 Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik (UNI)