Pakistan cricket team has reached New Zealand to start their World Cup 2015 campaign. Before the mega event Pakistan would play two one day matches against Zew Zeeland. 15-man squad of Pakistan includes two specialist openers, five fast bowlers, and three all-rounders and five specialist batsmen. After the setback of hamstring injury of fast bowler Junaid Khan, all-rounder Bilawal Bhatti has been selected for the matches against Zew Zeeland.
Overall squad looks pretty balanced but the spin bowling department seems inexperienced as two main bowlers, the magician Saeed Ajmal and Muhammad Hafeez were declared with illegal bowling action. The PCB has asked the ICC to set a date for Mohammad Hafeez to have his action officially reassessed. PCB hoping for the clearance of Hafeez’s bowling action in the test that is likely to take place in the first week of the next month. If all went smoothly, Hafeez would be available to strength the spin bowling department in the World Cup that would begin on February 14. Ajmal, who is not part of the World Cup squad, will undergo official ICC testing in Chennai on January 24, though his chances to wear green shirt in the mega event look bleak.
It would be great opportunity for the team management to select the final 11 before the February 14 as Pakistan would be playing against New Zeeland on 31 Jan in Wellington and in Napier on 3rd Feb. Pakistan’s first game in the World Cup would be against the arch-rival India on 15 February. Morale of the team seems sky high and players are in good spirit to change the history by beating India in the World Cup as Pakistan has never won against India in the World Cup. We all should support our team to repeat the history of 1992 World cup when we ruled the world of cricket in Australia and New Zeeland and lifted the World cup.