Cricket World Cup: Sohail Khan recalled as Pakistan name squad for tournament
Wednesday 7 January 2015 11:08, UK
Pakistan have recalled fast bowler Sohail Khan for the World Cup which starts in Australia and New Zealand next month.
The 30-year-old was not among Pakistan’s 30-man preliminary squad, but has forced his way back into the reckoning after a four-year absence with some strong performances in domestic matches this season.
The right-arm bowler has played in two Tests and five one-day internationals but his last appearance for Pakistan was against in Zimbabwe in 2011.
Mohammad Hafeez has also been named in the 15-man squad as a specialist opening batsman.
Hafeez has been suspended from bowling in internationals, and could not clear unofficial testing of his bowling action in India last week.
The selectors have also included leg-spinner Yasir Shah as back-up to Shahid Afridi - in the absence of the suspended Saeed Ajmal - while middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood returns after recovering from a hand injury.
Misbah-ul-Haq has also recovered from a hamstring injury he sustained last month while playing against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates and will lead the team in the tournament which runs from February 14 to March 29.
Pakistan open their campaign against India in Adelaide on February 15 and they will also face West Indies, Zimbabwe, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Ireland in Pool B.
Chief selector Moin Khan said: "We have picked a full battery of pace bowlers while our spin bowling department is also led by the experienced Shahid Afridi and includes leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
"The selectors have done a lot of homework in selecting this squad and we are confident this side will put up a good performance in the World Cup.
"We have a lot of expectations from this squad, especially the youngsters who have not played before in Australia and New Zealand."
Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz.
