Imran Khan not assured about Pakistan's preparation for the World Cup 2019

Pakistan will be looking to replicate their Champions Trophy performance in the upcoming ICC World Cup in England kicking off on May 30 but the country’s prime minister, Imran Khan, is not sure about the national team’s preparation for the mega tournament. The Men in Green are currently playing a five-match ODI series against Australia in the UAE but things are not looking too bright for them as they are on the verge of losing the contest in the first three matches itself.

It was only two days back that Pakistan recalled its only World Cup win till date on its 27th anniversary. It was Prime Minister Khan, a former cricketer, who had led the side to win the tournament in Australia. The 66-year-old leader reportedly expressed reservations over the selection of the national team while meeting Ehsan Mani, chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and its other top officials in Islamabad.

Imran Khan reportedly told the PCB chief to ensure that the selection process is revamped and the country sends its best possible team to the showpiece event. Pakistan are trailing 0-2 against Australia and also lost their last ODI series against South Africa 2-3.

Pakistan rested six key players in Australia series

Pakistan’s national selectors and team management have come under criticism for resting as many as six key players in the ongoing series, the side’s penultimate international assignment before the WC. Pakistan will play their first match in the WC against the Windies in Nottingham on May 31.

The team, besides resting regular captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, also sent all-rounder Faheem Ashraf back after the second game. “Mani assured the Prime Minister that the board is making all efforts to ensure that the selection process for the national team gets better,” Sportstar cited reports as quoting a PCB official.

Pakistan made the finals in World Cup 1999 which was also played in England under the captaincy of Wasim Akram but failed to cross the final hurdle against Australia.

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