Pakistan chairman of selectors Inzamam ul Haq told the media on Monday about three changes made in the provisional squad. Pakistan has called up Asif Ali, Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz to their final 15-man World Cup squad.
“The lack of potency of our frontline bowlers against England meant that a change was needed,” said Inzamam-ul-Haq.
“We now know we will encounter batting wickets in the World Cup.”
Asif Ali, who lost his daughter due to cancer is also called up.
“We are with Asif in this tough time,” added Inzamam. “He will return to Pakistan and then go back [to England] before the warm-up matches.”
The selection has irked pace bowler Junaid Khan. “I dont want to say anything. Truth is bitter. (Sach karwa hotha hai),” Junaid wrote on Twitter (later deleted).
Mohammad Amir was sensational against India in Champions trophy final in 2017 when he dismissed India’s top 3. But since then his form deteriorated took only 5 wickets in 10 matches in the last 2 years. Wahab Riaz played last International match for Pakistan in 2017.
“The bowling unit during the England ODIs has not clicked as anticipated or expected,” said Inzamam.
“If we have at our disposal the vastly experienced pace duo of Amir and Wahab, then it will be foolish not to include them.”
Pakistan squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Asif Ali, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz.
