Pakistan announce squad for 2019 World Cup and England series (Abid Ali, Mohammad Hasnain included)

[Baigel]

Pakistan name squad for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019

• Opener Abid Ali and teenage express fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain included; Mohammad Hafeez named subject to fitness

• The squad is a combination of three openers, four middle-order batsmen, wicketkeeper/batsman in Sarfaraz Ahmed, two spinners and five fast bowlers

• Selectors retain 11 players who were part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning side

• Inzamam-ul-Haq: “While picking the side, we’ve tried to cover all bases by assessing our strengths as well as analysing each opponent, the match venues and the event format”

• Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir named for England T20I and ODIs; squad for World Cup can be changed until 23 May without ICC permission

Lahore, 18 April 2019:

Pakistan cricket selectors today named a 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, which included 11 players from the side that won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 in England and Wales.

Pakistan defeated India by 180 runs at The Oval on 18 June 2017 to become only the third country in the history of the game to win all four men’s ICC events – the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, the ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. The other two sides to achieve the rare Golden Slam are India and the Windies.

Players retained from the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning party include: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Shadab Khan and Shoaib Malik.

Four other players selected for the World Cup are: Abid Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, 19-year-old Mohammad Hasnain and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Imam and Shaheen have featured in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2014 and 2018, respectively.

The selectors have also named Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir for the England T20I and ODIs to be played in the lead up to the World Cup from 5-19 May. Mohammad Amir was also part of the ICC Champions Trophy winning squad, and the two players will also serve as cover for the World Cup squad and, if required, can be drafted into the side until 23 May without ICC permission.

The World Cup squad is a combination of three openers, four middle-order batsmen, wicketkeeper/batsman in Sarfaraz Ahmed, two spinners and five fast bowlers.

Chairman of Pakistan men’s selection committee and former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, said the side had been picked according to the conditions and included reliable batters, trusted wicket-taking bowlers and dynamic fielders.

“In England and Wales, conditions play a critical role. With this in mind, we have selected a three-dimensional side, which gives the captain a wide range of options of whatever game plan he chooses on a match day.

“We have experienced batters, who are backed up by bowlers with plenty of variety and variation to exploit any type of conditions.

“This is more or less the side we have been playing since the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. I have absolute trust that this side has grown further in experience and stature since 2017. Supported by the flare, skill, talent and killing-instinct, this side has the capability and potential to rise to the occasion and produce strong performances.”

Talking about his selections, Inzamam said: “While picking the side, we’ve tried to cover all bases by assessing our strengths as well as analysing each opponent, the match venues and the event format.

“Hafeez has not played any cricket for the past 10-odd weeks, but he has always featured in our plans. Although his inclusion in the World Cup squad is subject to fitness, yesterday we got a boost when he started playing with tennis ball with his doctor confirming he will be available for selection for the series against England. Our World Cup opener is on 31 May 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.

“Abid Ali and Mohammad Hasnain have been selected after they cleared their fitness tests at the National Cricket Academy on Thursday morning.

“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.

“Shoaib Malik and Hafeez have played in World Cups before (Malik 2007, Hafeez 2007 and 2011), which makes them experienced and qualified to provide the required stability to the middle-order. The exuberance of Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam make them the most exciting, talented and entertaining top-three in the world. Sarfaraz is a proven-performer with the bat who has played a number of crucial knocks for Pakistan and his presence further strengthens the middle-order.

“In Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Hasnain, Pakistan has probably the most attacking and lethal bowling unit, which has variation and variety to take wickets and keep the opponents under pressure.

“For the T20I and ODIs against England, we have added Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir as additional players. Asif is probably the best power-hitter in Pakistan, while Amir has the experience and a good record in England. These two will provide cover to the World Cup squad and can be drafted into the side by 23 May, if required.”

The England-bound players will hold training sessions at the Gaddafi Stadium on 20 and 21 April, before departing for London in the wee hours of 23 April. At 115pm on 22 April, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur will hold their departure media conferences at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan squad for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper, 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 Shah Afridi
Shoaib Malik

Additional players for England T20I and ODIs:

Asif Ali
Mohammad Amir

The following is the Pakistan cricket team’s schedule of England:

Series v England

27 April – v Kent (50-over practice match) (d)
29 April – v Northamptonshire (50-over match) (d)
1 May – v Leicestershire (T20 match) (d/n)
5 May – v England (only T20I), Cardiff (d)
8 May – 1st ODI v England, The Oval (d/n)
11 May – 2nd ODI v England, Hampshire (d)
14 May – 3rd ODI v England, Bristol (d/n)
17 May – 4th ODI v England, Trent Bridge (d/n)
19 May – 5th ODI v England, Leeds (d)

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 schedule

24 May – v Afghanistan (warm-up), Bristol (d)
26 May – v Bangladesh (warm-up), Cardiff (d)
31 May – v Windies, Trent Bridge (d)
3 June – v England, Trent Bridge (d)
7 June – v Sri Lanka, Bristol (d)
12 June – v Australia, Taunton (d)
16 June – v India, Old Trafford (d)
23 June – v South Africa, Lord’s (d)
26 June – v New Zealand, Edgbaston (d)
29 June – v Afghanistan, Headingley (d)
5 July – v Bangladesh, Lord’s (d/n)

[Pak_Jazba]

Taking Abid Ali & Mohammed Hasnain seems like a big gamble. However, the english conditions should suit Mohammed Hasnain.

[Mueez]

Fakhar Zaman
Imam ul Haq
Abid Ali
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Muhammad Hafeez
Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmad
Imad Wasim
Shadab Khan
Fahim Ashraf
Junaid Khan
Hasan Ali
Muhammad Hasnain

Two extra players for England series are Muhammad Amir and Asif Ali.

[Markhor]

Woah no Amir. Was expecting he'd be named in the 15 on basis of reputation but thankfully selectors have made the right call as his numbers since CT17 are awful.

Abid is in the 15 which is fantastic to see.

[aloo paratha]

Damn, never try thought Amir would be left out.

[ataullah]

Big decision regarding hasnain. Hope he delivers. Good positive gamble.

[iPakistani]

Only 14 players in the squad?

[Pak_Jazba]

Fakhar
Imam
Haaris
Malik
Hafeez
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Imad
Fahim
Hasan
Shaheen

Most likely eleven to play.

Lower order from Shadab onwards has more hit-or-miss players. Can't see Pakistan chasing more than 250 in any condition unless Hafeez/Malik have a solid World Cup.

[Chokli]

Big mistake leaving out Amir for Hasnain.

Hasnain is going to be smashed all over the ground.


Junaid is trash and a shell of his former self.


This team isn't making the semi finals,

[Sean143]

Only 14 players in the squad?

shaheen is the 15th member

[Nikhil_cric]

Rizwan missing out to Malik is a travesty.

[BrooklynBrawler]

Fakhar
Imam
Haaris
Malik
Hafeez
Sarfaraz
Shadab
Imad
Fahim
Hasan
Shaheen

Most likely eleven to play.

So they are gonna leave out their best bat?

[Green Patriot]

We have favoured Imad Wasim because of his importance to the team combination.
Inzi.

So fitness not the benchmark anymore?

Also didn't Abid and Hasnain both fail the test too?

[Sher Khan]

I don’t really agree with the inclusion of hasnain. He is way too raw right now. Shinwari must be feeling gutted with 28 wickets in 15 matches at 19. He was our best bowler on flat pitches in the aus series and has a knack of ripping through teams on his day.

Also, perhaps rizwan should have been there instead of abid ali. As hafeez can also open. Rizwan must be feeling hard done by.

For Amir, I think it’s a good decision. He needed a hard kick to wake him up. It’s good, that he has to prove himself in the England series now to be considered. Clever move in mum opinion. Junaid Khan is very deserving in his place.

[Afhan Ali]

How Amir could be dropped for a mediocre player like Junaid and Hasnain

[Sean143]

Asif Ali for Abid Ali
M Amir for JK

[ARK Rafay]

Fakhar, Imam, Abid
Haris, Babar, Hafeez, Malik
Sarfraz
Imad, Faheem
Shadab, Hasan, Husnain, Shaheen, Junaid

These are the 15.

M Amir and Asif Ali included in the England series.

So if there's a change due to injury. Asif Ali and M Amir are the most likely candidates.

[Madplayer]

I think Amir's selection would be subject to his performances in England.

[Pak_Jazba]

My bad missed out Babar in the squad. He will most likely play in place of Haaris unless the Management has guts to drop either of Malik / Hafeez.

[ARK Rafay]

So Hasan, Shaheen and Junaid will start in XI. Because I don't think coach and captain will play Husnain in place of Junaid. That'll make this bowling the most inexperienced

[BlackShadow]

Amir is useless these days, but what has Hasnain done to deserve a spot?

[Nikhil_cric]

Junaid ahead of Shinwari is not a great decision either. So far NZ, OZ, BD, SA have selected probably their best , or atleast close to the best, squads possible. Not sure about India, Pakistan or England .

[msb314]

So we are stuck with Malik and Hafeez again whilst Rizwan misses our despite scoring two centuries in the Australia series.

Rubbish squad and hope we get booted out in the group stage

[ARK Rafay]

Amir is useless these days, but what has Hasnain done to deserve a spot?

If Junaid is dropped or has a bad game. We have no one who can bowl at death.

I was surprised to see Amir dropped as well

[Green Patriot]

Rizwan doesn't score well down the order and we have lots of players at the top of the order so he probably wouldn't have been able to play.
However he was the most fit and was in good form.I wish there was a place for him.We have poor players like Malik but no place for Rizwan.

Also I think they are banking too much on Mohammad Hussain.As if he is going to put in unbelievable magical spells that will win us the World Cup.Too much pressure on a young guy.

[Chokli]

Junaid is not even the bowler he was in the CT 2017.

The less said about Faheem the better.

This is shaping up to be similar to CT 2013

[ARK Rafay]

Rizwan is another accumulator. We already have too many of them and Haris, Babar and Hafeez are better options than Rizwan

[hussain.r97]

Should have picked Shinwari ahead of Junaid. Hasnain is a gamble, but sometimes you need to gamble to pull off something big. Hasnain has the X factor to win Pakistan games.

Overall nothing unexpected, decent squad.

[ataullah]

Wahab was better if u want pace instead of hasnain and Rizwan better than malik. Good decision regarding Abid Ali. Decent squad

[Hasan123]

I don't think Hassnain isn't ready. Amir being left out is a real shock to me. But you cant get away with those rubbish performances. Malik has no business making this team. Imad and Hafeez have injury concerns, so I am little worried about them.

Time to support the team. There are plenty of issues with this squad, but time to support the boys. Let's do this.

[Rana]

I think the management realised that they lack an express pace bowler and are happy to back an 18 year old instead of the ageing Wahab Riaz, it was never a competition between Amir and Hasnain.

Amir is basically competing with Junaid Khan for a spot

[Gabbar Singh]

Shocking to leave Amir out. What the hell!!

[Mueez]

Hasnain is the surprise package.

Just like Hasan Ali in CT ‘17

[ARK Rafay]

Well if Hasnain was a must. I would've easily dropped Faheem Ashraf for Mohammad Amir. You have Hasan Ali who does better job than Faheem.

And if you're top 6 can't score. You expect winning cameos from Faheem lol.

[Rana]

My team for Pak v India at OT

1. Abid Ali
2. Fakhar Zaman
3. Babar Azam
4. Harris Sohail
5. Shoaib Malik
6. Mohammad Hafeez
7. Sarfaraz Ahmed
8. Imad Wasim
9. Hassan Ali
10. Shaheen Shah
11. Mohammad Hasnain

Unleash these young guns agains Sharma, Dhawan and Kohli! I fully back these lads

[Sean143]

Shocking to leave Amir out. What the hell!!

Don't worry, he will comeback in the squad once Junaid goes for 80 runs in an ODI in England series.

As for Abid Ali, it's a shocking selection. Let's hope that he fails in England series. Abid is a good player but we needed a hitter like Asif (even is he under performs). Idk what sought of weed is being supplied to our selectors

[Markhor]

Shocking to leave Amir out. What the hell!!

How is it shocking, he averages something like 92 with the ball since CT17.

[Markhor]

Don't worry, he will comeback in the squad once Junaid goes for 80 runs in an ODI in England series.

As for Abid Ali, it's a shocking selection. Let's hope that he fails in England series. Abid is a good player but we needed a hitter like Asif (even is he under performs). Idk what sought of weed is being supplied to our selectors

Abid Ali and Asif Ali have totally different roles. One is an opener, the other plays lower down the order.

This is a provisional squad remember. Asif is in the 17 man squad for England series so if he performs well he can find a place in the 15.

[CricketDon]

No Umar Akmal no Amir no rizwan.

Gonna get battered blue.


Malik over rizwan is hilarious.

Imad the fatty failing fitness tests but still gets selected haha.

Such a joke.

[Markhor]

How Amir could be dropped for a mediocre player like Junaid and Hasnain

Amir averages 92 with the ball since CT17.

That isn't mediocre ?

[Titan24]

I think Hasnain might surprise few if he gets a game against Eng and in WC. First 3 international matches for a teenager are not enough to judge. Hasnaian has got most of the basis covered just needs to work hard on his direction and seam position.

I remember how Shaheen was talked about when he debuted and now he is probably one of our main bowlers in the squad.

[in_cutter]

Big mistake leaving out Amir for Hasnain.

Hasnain is going to be smashed all over the ground.


Junaid is trash and a shell of his former self.


This team isn't making the semi finals,

How are you so sure? As if Amir would have been any better.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Good squad. Only Asif missing is a travesty. I would have taken him over Malik.

[Rana]

Not sure why Umar Akmal was not selected for the T20s against England. Surely they could have just picked him to cover for Malik or Babar for that series?

[Mp812]

In England and Wales, conditions play a critical role. With this in mind, we have selected a three-dimensional side, which gives the captain a wide range of options of whatever game plan he chooses on a match day.


3d glasses sales gonna skyrocket

[MMHS]

Starting career in 2009, Amir might end International career without playing a single WC game - which I think is a poetic justice. Guy did something he should have never done, so somewhere luck will balance it out. Still, he has 100% record for PAK in ICC events - played 2, won 2 (Not sure if he was in 2010 CT team).

Quite a bold squad to be honest - they picked Hasnain, JK & Abid. For the ENG tour, still they have picked couple of pacers, which I think is quite wise call - one of them might make the final cut before 25th May.

[Chokli]

How are you so sure? As if Amir would have been any better.

If he was getting smashed in UAE, why wouldn't he get smashed in England where we once conceded 444?

[in_cutter]

How Amir could be dropped for a mediocre player like Junaid and Hasnain

Amir is the mediocre one

[Markhor]

No Umar Akmal no Amir no rizwan.

Gonna get battered blue.


Malik over rizwan is hilarious.

Imad the fatty failing fitness tests but still gets selected haha.

Such a joke.

What did UA do in the Australia series ? Why did he break a team curfew after so many disciplinary infractions in the past ?

Enough with these personal likes/dislikes ahead of the interests of the team.

[Chokli]

Starting career in 2009, Amir might end International career without playing a single WC game - which I think is a poetic justice. Guy did something he should have never done, so somewhere luck will balance it out. Still, he has 100% record for PAK in ICC events - played 2, won 2 (Not sure if he was in 2010 CT team).

Quite a bold squad to be honest - they picked Hasnain, JK & Abid. For the ENG tour, still they have picked couple of pacers, which I think is quite wise call - one of them might make the final cut before 25th May.

He was there in 2010 World T20

[Chokli]

Amir is the mediocre one

Amir won you CT, what have Junaid and Hasnain done?

[TalhaSyed]

I would have thought Shinwari would get the nod ahead of Hasnain, however, Hasnain could do prove to be our dark horse of the competition.

Dropping Amir is a big gamble, however, given the recent performance of the Pacers it's perfectly justified to drop him.

I'm glad to see Haris & Abid both get the nod.

[Hasan123]

Starting career in 2009, Amir might end International career without playing a single WC game - which I think is a poetic justice. Guy did something he should have never done, so somewhere luck will balance it out. Still, he has 100% record for PAK in ICC events - played 2, won 2 (Not sure if he was in 2010 CT team).

Quite a bold squad to be honest - they picked Hasnain, JK & Abid. For the ENG tour, still they have picked couple of pacers, which I think is quite wise call - one of them might make the final cut before 25th May.

He played in the 2009 CT and 2010 World T20.

[Sean143]

Abid Ali and Asif Ali have totally different roles. One is an opener, the other plays lower down the order.

This is a provisional squad remember. Asif is in the 17 man squad for England series so if he performs well he can find a place in the 15.

Point is one of Harris sohail or Abid Ali could have been in the 15, Asif/Umar Akmal should have been in our squad, no matter what.

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Amir didn't deserve to be in the squad - not just performance but his head is also not screwed in right at the moment. It shows in his demeanor. You want your fast bowler to have an air of confidence - not look like the world's falling apart.

[SensiblePakFan]

If Amir performs in England, he'll get selected. Simple as that.

[Snowflake]

While Amir's exclusion can be justified looking at his performance, I'm not too sure if the replacements are going to be any better. Hasnain hasn't done much to earn a spot.

This is quite a shocking decision and I'm not sure how to feel about it tbh!

[ar2020]

I would have preferred Asif Ali and Usman Shinwari instead of Hasnain and Abid Ali but otherwise squad is the best available players.

[Snowflake]

If Amir performs in England, he'll get selected. Simple as that.

I do think he'll end up sneaking in the squad. Though, if he does, he'll be replacing someone, right? Won't be an addition?

[ar2020]

I would have thought Shinwari would get the nod ahead of Hasnain, however, Hasnain could do prove to be our dark horse of the competition.

Dropping Amir is a big gamble, however, given the recent performance of the Pacers it's perfectly justified to drop him.

I'm glad to see Haris & Abid both get the nod.

How is it a big gamble? When Shoaib Akhtar wasn't performing he was dropped during the WC. And Shoaib Akhtar is 3 times the bowler Amir is.

[Markhor]

Point is one of Harris sohail or Abid Ali could have been in the 15, Asif/Umar Akmal should have been in our squad, no matter what.

Abid is the third opener. What if Fakhar/Imam lose form ? Abid selection is totally merited.

Fans call for new faces yet when new faces are picked they complain.

[MMHS]

He played in the 2009 CT and 2010 World T20.

So, 50% then - still not bad. But, I think his chances are not over yet - there is a back door still. ICC is corrupt & incompetent - so every ICC events there is a scope of faking injury and replace players in middle of the tournament, which isn't fair and which gives an advantage to hosts. FIFA is even more corrupt, but crook as well - so they fixed it other way - 23 players and the list is locked ...... unless there is a plane crash and the entire squad dies (still not sure what will happen then), you have to manage entire WC with those 23.

I still think, Amir will play some part in this WC.

[Snowflake]

So glad to see Usman 'no-ball' Shinwari excluded! The guy gets all the marks for being work-horse but is very limited bowler with a tendency to lose you matches single-handedly.

[Sean143]

Abid is the third opener. What if Fakhar/Imam lose form ? Abid selection is totally merited.

Fans call for new faces yet when new faces are picked they complain.

Babar Azam can be our third opener, and we have players like Hafeez in the squad as well. It's not gonna swing so we don't need a backup conventional opener. Abid Ali is a waste of a spot imo

[shahidafridi123]

If Amir performs in England, he'll get selected. Simple as that.

Can the changes until May 23 be made even if there is no injury?

[GLORY OF '92]

Excellent selections. Very surprised. Amir and Asif have a chance in England to get in. Amir had to be dropped. Numbers were awful.

[Chokli]

Can the changes until May 23 be made even if there is no injury?

Yes

[Manager101]

I think they are giving one more chance to Amir and Asif to prove their form in England series and then they might be included in main squad.

[Manager101]

Can the changes until May 23 be made even if there is no injury?

Yes.

[Chokli]

1.Imam Ul Haq
2.Fakhar Zaman
3.Babar Azam
4.Haris Sohail
5.Mohammad Hafeez
6.Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
7.Imad Wasim
8.Shadab Khan
9.Hasan Ali
10.Shaheen Afridi
11. All 3 of Junaid, Hasnain and Faheem are awful selections.

[saroosh.anwar]

Babar ???

[Hasan123]

So, 50% then - still not bad. But, I think his chances are not over yet - there is a back door still. ICC is corrupt & incompetent - so every ICC events there is a scope of faking injury and replace players in middle of the tournament, which isn't fair and which gives an advantage to hosts. FIFA is even more corrupt, but crook as well - so they fixed it other way - 23 players and the list is locked ...... unless there is a plane crash and the entire squad dies (still not sure what will happen then), you have to manage entire WC with those 23.

I still think, Amir will play some part in this WC.

I think unless there is an injury long term, you shouldn't be able to make changes.

I think he will play a few games in the ODI series and as you said he could play a part in the WC.

It is his own fault he has been dropped.

[Maliq_Mudasir]

People who were whining about Amir's performance are now complaining how can Inzi drop him. People will never be satisfied.

[Sherlock]

Rizwan missing out to Malik is a travesty.

Welcome to the PCB selection Roulette.

[Deewana Mastana]

People are reacting as if they've seen or heard a ghost - Put your personal biases aside and back the team and players that have now been selected.

[Chokli]

People are reacting as if they've seen or heard a ghost - Put your personal biases aside and back the team and players that have now been selected.

you're not winning the world cup with the likes of faheem and junaid

[Deewana Mastana]

you're not winning the world cup with the likes of faheem and junaid

This is a team of accumulators where apart from Fakhar who has a SR of 96 is the only attacking player in the side who can take the game away from the opposition if he gets going. As of his form off late, opposition have been getting the better of him as the flaws within his game have been picked by others and have been exploited.

[JibranAnsari]

Decent squad given the available options , Pakistan failed to try said shakil and khushdil shah in the last one year and we had to pick the players from the current lot. Fakhar needs to score in almost every game to give us a good start as imam , Babar and Harris are pretty one dimensional. Hafeez at 5 will be perfect but I don't see how Pakistan is going to accommodate malik in the 11. I think amir will be back in the world cup squad after the England Odis , pretty surprised that they picked junaid over shinwari as shinwari has been doing pretty well in Odis. Don't think Pakistan have enough firepower in any department to challenge top sides but miracles can happen.

[Chokli]

Haris Rauf should have been there in place of Hasnain

[Forum363]

I am shocked at this squad - absolutely brilliant selection. I am a big fan of Inzi now.

We can argue about Malik/ Hafeez all day but as 'senior' players, they were never going to be dropped.

This meant that the majority of the squad was relatively obvious choices.

The three main decisions left were left arm 'steady' opening pacer (Amir or Junaid), risky but potential match winner (Shinwari or Hasnain) and backup batsman (Shan, Abid or Rizwan).

For Inzi to choose Junaid (but leave the door open if he performs in England), Hasnain and Abid shows he has backed the youngsters despite the risk. (Youngsters as in comparatively less experienced that the other choices).

Abid is a good player, despite Rizwan's two centuries, I have far more faith in Abid coming into the team last minute in a crucial match and taking the game to the oppositon. Similarly Hasnain is raw and young but he is very quick, tall, well built and from the brief videos of the training camp - already seems to have improved.

An attack of Shaheen, Hassan Ali and Hasnain is mouth watering.