Fawad Alam left out due to poor form

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	Fawad Alam has four single-digit scores in his past eight innings © AFP Enlarge
Related Links News : Shoaib Malik left out of World Cup probables Players/Officials: Fawad Alam Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: Pakistan

One of the surprises in Pakistan's preliminary 30-man World Cup squad was the absence of batsman Fawad Alam, whose omission has been attributed to his lack of form by chairman of selectors Mohsin Khan.

"We simply could not find a place for Fawad in the squad and that was down to him not being in the sort of form needed in a tournament like the World Cup," Mohsin told Pakpassion.net.

Alam scored two half-centuries in his previous eight one-day innings, but he also has four single-digit scores, including his last two knocks against South Africa in Dubai two months ago.

Pakistan had announced their squad on Tuesday, a day ahead of the ICC's extended deadline for naming the 30. Shoaib Malik, the former captain, and legspinner Danish Kaneria have also been left out of the probables. Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper who has been out of favour over the past few months, has been included.

The PCB hasn't said so publicly but the trio have been under suspicion in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked Pakistan's cricket. Akmal was the subject of an ACSU notice earlier this year but has since asked for and received a written clearance from the ICC.