Pakistan Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Here’s a Look at PAK Team’s Expected 30-Man Players List for the Mega Event in England

The Pakistan Cricket team has probably been one of the most unpredictable sides historically in ICC events. We never know which side turns up for the Green Shirts as was evident recently in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy when they defeated many strong teams to lift the trophy. Marred by inconsistency, the boys from Pakistan have rarely got going since this famous triumph. It will be interesting to see what is the composition of the team that travels to England for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Here is our list of 30 probable players that will make it to the provisional squad for the World Cup when the PCB selectors sit down for picking the team. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in PDF: Ticket Prices, Dates, Venue Details & Timetable Available for Download Online.

Fakhar Zaman: The talented left-handed opening batsman was the star of the show in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India but has featured very little since then. He should make the playing eleven in every game in England.

Ahmad Shahzad: He was compared to none other than batting great Virat Kohli in his early days but failed to live up to the expectation. He can score quick runs at the top and is one of the better fielders of the squad.

Babar Azam: The batting mainstay of the Pakistan cricket team, Azam holds the fort for the Men in green in the middle order. He is often considered as one of the best batsmen in modern day cricket and Pakistan will need him to be their batting mainstay in England.

Umar Akmal: Umar Akmal has been in fine form for Quetta Gladiators in the PSL and the selectors might be tempted to opt for the right-handed batsman given his potential to perform at the highest level of the game.

Mohammad Hafeez: Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been playing cricket for Pakistan for the best part of 16 years now and has 204 ODI caps to his credit. Currently out with a finger injury, the 38-year-old should be back in time for the World Cup.

Imam Ul Haq: The youngster has been a breath of fresh air in Pakistan cricket and recently became the second-fastest player to reach a thousand runs in ODI cricket. It will be interesting to see where he fits in the playing eleven as he is quite adaptable.

Shoaib Malik: Shoaib Malik brings with himself a wealth of experience needed to guide the middle order for the Men in green. He can also change gears quickly according to the situation which makes him a special player.

Shan Masood: The left-handed batsman has been making it to the ODI team off late but is yet to play a game for Pakistan. His test career started on a bright note but things fizzled quickly. He should make it to the 30 man list though.

Haris Sohail: The player is most notably known for his off-field black magic stories which has somewhat curtailed his career. He is a handy lower order batsman with 26 ODI games under his belt. He averages close to 45 in ODI which may go in his favour.

Umar Amin: He has played just 14 games for Pakistan despite making his debut way back in 2010. Consistency has been a problem but he has done well in domestic cricket recently to be in contention for the probable.

Asif Ali: The year 2018 was good for Asif Ali where he scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket for Punjab. He does deserve a place on the list. India Squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Here’s a Look at Indian Team’s Expected 30-Man Players List for the Mega Event in England.

Hussain Talat: He has transformed himself into a T20 specialist with a string of good performances in the PSL and other domestic tournaments. He can be given a chance to replicate the performances in ODIs.

Sarfraz Ahmed: The skipper is also Pakistan first choice wicket-keeper and will need to pull off a repeat of 2017 Champions Trophy performance both with the bat and leadership if Pakistan are to do well in England once again.

Mohammad Rizwan: He will be the backup for Sarfaraz Ahmed and has a decent record for his team Punjab in domestic cricket.

Shadab Khan: We all remember this youngster asking his skipper to go for a referral after catching Yuvraj Singh plumb in front in the 2017 Champions Trophy. He is a quality spinner and has done well in England in past.

Mohammad Nawaz: More of a bowling all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz has played 11 ODI games for the Men in Green. He has starred in the domestic leagues and PSL where he has contributed with both bat and bowl.

Yasir Shah: Yasir Shah has delivered some memorable performances for Pakistan in their adopted home of UAE in both Tests and ODIs. He should make it to the final squad that travels to England.

Raza Hassan: The left-arm orthodox spinner was banned from the game in 2015 but has come back strongly in domestic cricket. Although he has not played for Pakistan for five years, he looks set to be in the preliminary squad.

Imad Wasim: Another important player from Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy winning team, Imad Wasim is a bowling all-rounder. He regularly features for Pakistan in ODIs and did well in the South Africa tour recently.

Faheem Ashraf: He has won several accolades at the domestic level for his fine displays with both bat and bowl. He is now made himself a regular in the Pakistan squad in all forms of cricket.

Anwar Ali: The fast bowling all-rounder has been quite a hit in the PSL for side Quetta Gladiators but has not featured for Pakistan for quite some time which may go against him.

Hasan Ali: He has won the emerging cricketer of the year award by ICC in the past for his gritty fast bowling. Hasan Ali ’s trademark celebration make him quite a hit with the fans too.

Mohammad Amir: There are few fast bowlers in the world of the caliber of Mohammad Amir though his performances may not be that consistent how it used to be in the past. He will be more than a handful with the new bowl in the fast bowler friendly conditions of England.

Rumman Raees: The pacer played the semi-final against England in the ICC Champions Trophy but has been out of the ODI side recently. He will have to do really well in the coming months to force his way back into the team.

Rahat Ali: Rahat Ali last played for Pakistan in ODI back in 2015 but a string of good performances in domestic cricket means he will be part of the preliminary squad. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Warm-Up Matches Schedule: Check India’s Fixture Dates Against New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Shaheen Afridi: He is all of 18 but commands a presence when he bowls with a 6 feet 6 inches stature. One of the upcoming talents of Pakistan cricket, Afridi should be given an opportunity to shine in England.

Wahab Riaz: His spell against Shane Watson in the previous World Cup still garners a lot of praise. The left arm pacer can be a destructive option in the middle overs when Pakistan would want to keep the opposition in check.

Junaid Khan: The premium fast bowler who was declared unfit for the South Africa tour recently by the PCB officials could be back in the preliminary squad as well as make it to the final list of players who travel to England.

Usman Shinwari: He was brilliant with the bowl in South Africa though he is often troubled with fitness issues. He is a definite pick for Pakistan if he keeps himself injury free.

Mohammad Irfan: The tallest cricketer in the world has 60 ODI caps to his credit but has not played International cricket for three years now. He has starred for several teams in T20 cricket across the world which should enable him to make it to the 30-man squad.

This was our pick for Pakistan’s 30-man preliminary list for the 2019 World Cup which looks well balanced at least on paper.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 25, 2019 02:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).