Pakistan leave Afridi out of Champions Trophy squad

Experienced all rounder Shahid Afridi has been left out of the Pakistan squad for the ICC Champions Trophy that will be held in England while selectors have warned Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik that they are running out of chances.

The 32-year-old, who has played 354 one-day internationals, was the only senior player overlooked for the tournament with chief selector Iqbal Qasim saying Afridi's bowling had cost him his place in the squad.

"Afridi's bowling has not been up to the mark in recent matches," he said in a news conference on Monday.

Pakistani's journey from graveyard to Baggy Green

SWABI: Fawad Ahmed's cricketing journey began in a graveyard in his village in northwest Pakistan but could yet culminate in an Ashes Test for Australia at the home of cricket, Lord's.

Friends and former team-mates of the 31-year-old, who fled to Australia in 2010 claiming he was targeted by extremists and now wants to play for his adopted land against England, said his talent was obvious at an early age but he never got the chance to shine in Pakistan.