Pakistan squad for the World XI tour announced

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 16-member squad to take on the World XI team in the Independence Cup to be played in Pakistan. Captain Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the side which doesn’t include opener and the most consistent batsman Azhar Ali. World XI will face Pakistan in 3 T20Is on September 12, 13 and 15 all the three matches will be hosted by the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Some surprise inclusions in the team are that of pacer Sohail Khan. Inexperienced names like Fahim Ashraf, Aamer Yasmin, Usman Shinwari and Ruman Raees have also been given a chance. The last time Sohail wore the greens was a T20I back in 2011 against Zimbabwe. Ruman made his debut in the Champions Trophy and played only one match against Australia. Ashraf and Yamin have also played an ODI each.

Blend of youth and experience

“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in the domestic and international tours. The players’ consists of a combination of the fine blend of youth and senior players,” Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector, said. “It would be good for the young players to get a chance to play on the home ground and perform in front of the local public,” he added.

Pakistan squad for the Independence Cup against World XI:

Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain/WK), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Baber Azam, Shoaib Malik, Umer Amin, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hassan Ali, Amir Yamin, Muhammad Amir, Ruman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Sohail Khan

World XI squad:

Faf du Plessis (South Africa) (C), Hashim Amla (South Africa), Samuel Badree (West Indies), George Bailey (Australia), Paul Collingwood (England), Ben Cutting (Australia), Grant Elliot (New Zealand), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), David Miller (South Africa), Morne Morkel (South Africa), Tim Paine (wk) (Australia), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Imran Tahir (South Africa), Darren Sammy (West Indies).