India names squad for ICC World Twenty20

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named captain of India's squad announced on Monday to defend the ICC World Twenty20 title in England next month.
The squad contains several veterans of the ICC World Twenty20 winning team of 2007 in South Africa.

Several new players, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and left arm-spinner Pragyan Ojha, join the 15-man squad on the strength of their performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa.

Star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid were not included despite their good form in the IPL. Tendulkar has said he is not interested in playing Twenty20 cricket for India.

Host England opens the ICC World Twenty20 2009 at Lord's against the Netherlands on June 5. The final is on June 21.

India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, R P Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha and Irfan Pathan.

Pakistan names 2 uncapped players in T20 squad

Pakistan cricket selectors on Monday included uncapped players Shahzaib Hassan and Mohammad Aamir in a 15-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20 event to be held in England.

Hassan is a 19-year-old batsman with a hard-hitting style while fast bowler Aamir was included after impressing the selectors with his pace in domestic cricket.

Selectors kept faith with struggling fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who could not complete his quota of 10 overs in any of the four one-day international matches against Australia in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan lost the series 3-2.

Pakistan packed its team with five noted all-rounders - Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir and Yasir Arafat.

The squad also included off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has been reported for a suspect bowling action during the one-day series against Australia.

Pakistan lost the final against India in the inaugural Twenty20 event in South Africa two years ago.

Host England opens the next edition at Lord's against the Netherlands on June 5. The final is on June 21.

Pakistan squad: Younus Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Ahmed Shahzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Kamran Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal, Shazaib Hassan.

Sangakkara to lead Sri Lanka's charge in ICC WT20

Sri Lanka named uncapped all-rounder Isuru Udana in a 15-man squad on Monday for next month's Twenty20 World Cup in England.

The tournament will be the first tour since the team came under a terrorist attack in Pakistan while playing in a test series in March.

Seven cricketers and one coach were wounded when their bus was ambushed by gunmen as the team traveled to a match against Pakistan at Lahore. Six police officers and the driver of a van taking match officials were killed in the attack.

Kumar Sangakkara will lead the Sri Lanka team for the first time as captain in England, which is hosting the Twenty20 event from June 5-21.

Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain ), Muttiah Muralidaran, Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Lasith Malinga, Isuru Udana, Farveez Maharoof, Jehan Mubarak, Indika de Seram.

Lee, Watson named for ICC World Twenty20

Fast bowler Brett Lee and all-rounder Shane Watson were named on Tuesday in a 15-man Australian squad for next month's ICC World Twenty20 in England, though both have yet to test their fitness to bowl at the international level.

Lee and Watson are due to play for Australia against Pakistan in a Twenty20 International match at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, the first time in months either will attempt to bowl in an international game.

Lee hasn't bowled for Australia since he suffered a foot and ankle injury during last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Melbourne. Watson played as a batsman in Australia's five one-day internationals against Pakistan, but has not bowled since last November because of stress fractures in his back.

The Australian squad also includes all-rounder Andrew Symonds and dashing opening batsman David Warner.

The Australian squad has considerable bowling depth with the inclusion of Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle, who were rested for the recent series against Pakistan, Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Australia will use the ICC World Twenty20, from June 5 to 21, to prepare for its subsequent Ashes series against England.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.