The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday night announced the country's 15-member national cricket team for the ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament to be held in England in June.

Chief selector of PCB Iqbal Qasim announced the team in the eastern city of Lahore after six-hour meeting with the board officials.

Right-hand batsman Misbah-ul-Haq was retained as the skipper of the team that is blend of young and experienced cricketers.

The announcement came with a surprise package when the world famous player Shahid Afridi was dropped from the squad for the mega event due to his poor performance in the One-day International(ODI) format during the last year.

Afridi could score only 161 runs at an average of 17.88 and take just four wickets at a huge striking average of 113.75 runs in the last 12 ODI matches he played.

The selectors also left out middle-order out-of-form batsman Umar Akmal, who could not be picked up for the playing XI in the last ODI series against South Africa despite being selected in the 15-man squad.

The emerging fast bowler Asad Ali was also given a chance to be part of the national team for the first time.

Pakistan is placed in Group B of the Champions Trophy alongside West Indies, South Africa and arch-rival India.

The tickets for the thrilling match between Pakistan and India to be held on June 16 were sold out under record 30 minutes time earlier this month, according to the tournament officials.

Pakistan's national squad includes Misbah-ul Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Imran Farhat, Asad Shafiq, Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal (wicket-keeper), Umar Amin, , Wahab Riaz Junaid Khan, Saeed Ajmal, Asad Ali, Ehsan Adil and Mohammad Irfan.

Pakistan team will start its tour to England on May 17 where it will play two One-day International matches each against Scotland and Ireland before participating in the eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to start on June 7.

Pakistan on Monday also appointed Australian coach Trent Woodhill to help team's batsmen solve their batting problems during the Champions Trophy.

The 42-year-old batting and fielding expert who has served as assistant coach of New Zealand team will accompany Pakistani side for three week as initial agreement. Endi

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