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TogglePakistan Cricket team have named a power-packed squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 in England and Wales starting from May 30. While the exclusion of fast bowler Mohammad Amir has surprised many, the inclusion of swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman has made the former England batsman Michael Vaughan glad.
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Along with Fakhar, Pakistan have named two more openers – Abid Ali and Imam-ul-Haq. Meanwhile, one of the surprise picks Mohammad Hasnain ahead of Mohammad Amir and Usman Khan Shinwari. The Pakistan selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said that it is the ability of Hasnain to clock 150 kph consistently which got him the ticket to England. Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, and captain Sarfraz Ahmed forms a jam-packed middle-order. Meanwhile, Hafeez’s participation is subject to his fitness as he recovers from his finger injury. However, the allrounder spots went to Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Faheem Ashraf.
Zaman has had a good run in England
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman’s inclusion in the 15-member squad will undoubtedly light up Pakistan’s chances in the marquee event. Although the Men in Green have not been in their best recently, the top-ranked T20Is side can overturn their fortune in a split second. Moreover, Zaman’s golden run in the Champions Trophy in 2017 in England opens up Pakistan’s chances in the 12th edition of the league.
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Zaman played a fine knock in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India to script Pakistan’s first-ever Champions Trophy victory. He scored a brilliant hundred to guide Pakistan post 300+ plus total batting first at the Kennington Oval. His knock included 12 boundaries and three towering sixes to put India in dire trouble. The men in blues succumbed to pressure losing too many early wickets to lose the match by 180 runs.
Pakistan will want Fakhar Zaman to continue his excellent run in England and play some of his classical knocks in the upcoming quadrennial event. The inclusion of the 29-year-old left-handed batsman also had the former England skipper moving as he took to Twitter to express his happiness on the inclusion of Zaman.
“A day to celebrate for all World Cup broadcasters … Fakhar Zaman has been picked … !!!!!!
#CWC19,” Michael Vaughan tweeted.
A day to celebrate for all World Cup broadcasters … Fakhar Zaman has been picked … !!!!!! #CWC19
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 18, 2019
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign on May 31 against Windies at Trent Bride.