Fast bowler Sohail Khan earns selectors nod for ICC World Cup 2015: By Rashid Ali Siddiqui

Karachi – Pakistan, Jan 7, 2015: PCB selectors named 15-member Pakistan team for ICC World Cup 2015 with fast bowler Sohail Khan being surprise inclusion while veteran Younis Khan, out of form Umer Akmal and half-fit Sohaib Maqsood also caught the bus.

Team includes Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, M Hafeez, Haris Sohail, M Irfan, Junaid Khan, Misbah ul Haq (captain), Sarfraz Ahmed (w.k), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah and Younis Khan.

Team Management comprises Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Waqar Younis (head coach), Grant Flower (batting coach), Mushtaq Ahmed (spin bowling coach), Grand Luden (fielding coach), Physio/Trainer Brad Robinson, Assistant Coach Shahid Aslam, Media Manager Agha Akbar, Security officer Col. (Retd) Muhammad Azam Khan and Analyst Talha Butt.

Chief selector Moin Khan announced the team after marathon meetings of selection committee with head coach Waqar Younis and captain Misbah-ul-Haq, which continued for three days. The World Cup starts from February 14 in Australia and New Zealand till March 29.

Moin said that Umar Akmal has been picked keeping his wicket-keeping skills in consideration as well along with his batting skills.

Apart from Umar, Sohaib Maqsood has also been selected while prolific Fawad Alam has been left out.

“Fawad Alam is definitely a fighting player but unfortunately we were unable to develop consensus and he was not fitting in the team combination. World Cup is not the end of the world and we will see Fawad playing in big tournaments in future,” Moin told reporters here at National Stadium.

He said that the selectors have also been closely observing domestic cricket and therefore we have picked Sohail Khan keeping in view his form in the ongoing Pentangular Cup.

He also said that Ehsan Adil is good bowler and he was sent back from UAE because of injury. “He has recovered and hopefully will bowl well.”
Moin also praised wicket-keeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed for his positive approach.

“Player with an positive attitude like him can play well in any condition,” said Moin, while justifying selection of Sarfaraz Ahmed as third opener as well.