Mohammad Amir has been left out of Pakistan’s preliminary World Cup squad, it was announced on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old hasn’t been at his best since Pakistan’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, with just four wickets in 14 matches to his name.
He alongside Asif Ali have been named for the T20Is and ODIs and England prior to the mega tournament as squads can be changed until May 23.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, while addressing a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, said Amir hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations recently.
"Amir had not performed as well as was expected of him.
"We have included Amir for the England series with a hope that he regains his rhythm and wicket-taking ability in the series.”
All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was included in the squad subject to fully recovering from a fractured thumb sustained during the Pakistan Super League 2019.
Meanwhile, opening batsman Abid Ali and rookie paceman Mohammad Hasnain received call-ups.
Abid Ali impressed in the series against Australia with a hundred on debut while Hasnain’s ability to clock at 150kph earned him a place.
“Abid is the third opener in the side, and has earned a place following a string of high scores, including a magnificent century on debut against Australia last month.
“Hasnain has been selected due to his sheer pace and speed. He may not have played many ODIs but he has already made an impact by making the top batsmen hop and run in his brief career while also picking up wickets,” said Inzamam, who was a part of Pakistan’s winning team in 1992.
Pakistan will leave for the UK on April 23 and play three one-day matches against county sides before taking on England in the lone T20I and five-match ODI series.
Pakistan World Cup squad
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Mohammad Hafeez (subject to fitness), Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain
Additional players for England series
Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali
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