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Amir, Wahab named in Pakistan's Cup XV

Pakistan make three changes to their preliminary squad with two high-profile bowlers while grieving Asif Ali also included

Fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz join batsman Asif Ali in Pakistan's final World Cup XV after they made three changes the early announced preliminary squad.

Junaid Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Abid Ali are the players left out after chief selector Inzaman-ul-Haq made the announcement today.

The news of Asif's inclusion comes at a tragic time for the batsman after his daughter, who suffered from stage four cancer, died in hospital in the United States.

Asif is currently on tour with the Pakistan squad in England and played in the 54-run defeat by the hosts in their final one-day international of the series on Sunday.

Inzamam said Asif would return to Pakistan from a tour of England for his child's funeral, to be held in the eastern city of Lahore, before returning ahead of the World Cup, which begins on May 30.

"We are with Asif in this tough time. He will return to Pakistan and then go back before the warm-up matches," Inzamam told reporters at a press conference announcing the final squad in Lahore.

Image Id: 7B1AADC2858646FBBCD0B259E16A4062 Image Caption: Asif Ali in action against England // Getty

The hard-hitting batsman revealed last month his daughter was being flown to the US for treatment.

Asif, 27, hit two half-centuries in four innings against England to force his way into the 15-man World Cup squad after initially being left out, but included in the 17-man group for the England series.

The inclusion of Amir and Wahab - who had the memorable encounter with Shane Watson at the 2015 World Cup quarter-final in Adelaide - comes after England piled up huge scores in their rain-affected series win against Pakistan.

"The bowling unit during the England ODIs has not clicked as anticipated or expected; if we have at our disposal two vastly experienced pace duo of Amir and Wahab, then it will be foolish not to include them," Inzamam said.

Yasir Shah was also released from the current squad after he was named as Shadab Khan's replacement for the series against England.

Amir, who had been battling a bout of chicken pox, is now said to be full recovered and will join up with the squad after he had remained in London to recuperate, missing the matches against England.

Wahab, who had not originally been named in the England touring party, will also join the squad in Bristol this week and both will be available for Pakistan's official warm-up matches against Afghanistan in Bristol on May 24, and Bangladesh in Cardiff on May 26.

They open their World Cup campaign against the West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge.

MORE TO COME

Pakistan World Cup squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Hasnain.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 22: (warm-up) Australia v West Indies, Southampton

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE