The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has applied for visas of 27 players for the World Cup 2019. The visa applications were submitted at the UK High Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the matter said that Umar Akmal and Wahab Riaz’s names are also among the possible contenders for World Cup squad.
The source said that visa applications included names of Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Umar Akmal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Abid Ali, and Muhammad Rizwan.
It was also suggested that chances of Umar Akmal’s inclusion in the squad have minimized after his unimpressive performance during Australia series followed by a curfew-break incident at the end of the series.
The source also indicated that the inclusion of Muhammad Rizwan and Abid Ali in the squad is very likely.
Earlier today, head coach Mickey Arthur said that the team management was very clear about the selection of World Cup squad. He said he was soon going to meet chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq to discuss the individual plans for each player ahead of the series against England.
He said the five-match ODI series against England would help them prepare well for the mega event.
Pakistan will depart for England on April 23 where they will play one T20 and five ODIs in May before the ICC World Cup 2019.
