Dented by the absence of match-winning off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been banned for illegal action, the selectors opted to repose faith on a young team ignoring senior players like Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Sami for the mega-event to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan squad: Muhammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt; in pic), Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Junaid Khan, Muhammad Irfan, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Ehsan Adil and Yasir Shah.
lanka pick Malinga provisionally
Colombo: Cleared of suspect bowling after undergoing corrective action, off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake was included in Sri lanka’s 15-member cricket World Cup squad while pace bowler laisth Malinga was named subject to proving fitness.
Sri lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (capt.), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, lahiru Thirimanna, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga lakmal, lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senananayke, Dinmuth Karunaratne.
Despite bowling restrictions, Zimbabwe include Utseya
Harare: Zimbabwe included Prosper Utseya in its World Cup squad despite the ICC placing restrictions on his bowling.
Zimbabwe: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Hamilton Masakadza, Chamu Chibhabha, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Prosper Utseya, Tawanda Mupariwa, Kamungozi, Solomon Mire, Tinashe Panyangara, Tendai Chatara.
Injured de Kock in SA squad
Cape Town: Injured wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was on Wednesday named in South Africa’s squad for the World Cup.
South Africa squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla (vice-captain), Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn.