CWC 2019: Complete squads and playing XI of all ten teams

The battle lines are drawn as all the participating teams have announced their preliminary squads for World Cup 2019. There was a lot of buzz around the final selection of a few teams like India, Australia and England. Some players who were in contention for a place in the squad were left out while there were some surprise inclusions.

Nonetheless, all the teams have put their best foot forward and have named a strong squad for the marquee event. Talking about the squads, all the teams have some big match-winners in the ranks who can win matches single-handedly on their day and thus this World Cup might be the most closely contested World Cups of all time.

Even though teams have announced final squads for the mega-event, they can make changes to the squad before 23rd May without ICC's prior approval. However, barring a couple of teams all other teams are likely to go in the tournament with the same squad. Here is the list of final squads and expected playing XI of all the ten teams.

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#10 Bangladesh

Bangladesh has opted for experience for the mega-event

Bangladesh Squad

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Mithun, Abu Jayed, Mosaddek Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh selectors have once again put their money on experienced players. Uncapped fast bowler Abu Jayed is the only new face in the squad. Taskin Ahmed and Imrul Kayes were left out of the squad.

Veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was named the vice-captain of the squad that will be lead by Mashrafe Mortaza.

Predicted Playing XI

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

#9 Afghanistan

A lot will depend on the performance of Rashid Khan and Mohd. Nabi

Afghanistan Squad

Gulbadin Naib (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb ur Rahman

In a controversial move ahead of the World Cup, the Afghanistan selectors gave the captaincy reigns to Gulbadin Naib. Senior players in the squad like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi criticised the move saying that this will hamper the team's chances in the tournament.

However, Asghar Afghan, who led the team to meteoric rise in world cricket, along with the dynamic Mohammad Shahzad will be key to the team's batting. Rashid Khan will be a big threat to the opposition batsmen and will look to create impact in his debut World Cup.

Predicted playing XI

Mohammad Shahzad, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Asghar Afghan, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Dawlat Zadran

#8 Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne will lead Sri Lanka in the World Cup

Sri Lanka Squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Jeevan Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana.

The biggest question that the Sri Lankan selectors had to answer was about the captaincy of the World Cup squad. The captaincy reigns were taken away from Lasith Malinga, who had captained Sri Lanka in their last ODI series against South Africa, and given to Dimuth Karunaratne.

Some notable exclusions included Niroshan Dickwella, who has been out of form off late, former skipper Dinesh Chandimal, spinner Akila Dananjaya and Upal Tharanga.

Jeevan Mendis and Lahiru Thirimanne have comeback to the team after a long time. However, the biggest surprise was the selection of Milinda Siriwardana, who last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in October 2017.

Predicted Playing XI

Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay

#7 Pakistan

Mohd Amir has been left out of Pakistan's World Cup squad

Pakistan Squad

Sarfaraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Abid Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Sohail

Pakistan selectors took a brave call in leaving out Mohammad Amir from the World Cup squad. Amir, who was Pakistan's strike bowler in the team's Champions trophy title victory, has seen a drastic slump in form in the last year, owing to which he was axed from the team.

Mohammad Rizwan, who was in terrific form in the series against Australia, has also missed out from the squad. The experienced duo of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez were included in the final 15.

Predicted Playing XI

Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan

#6 West Indies

Dre Russ is back for West Indies

West Indies Squad

Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Oshane Thomas, Shai Hope, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer

After a lot of speculations about the return of the T20 superstars, West Indies finally submitted it's final 15 on the last day of the deadline. Andre Russell, who is having a spectacular IPL has been named in the squad for the World Cup. Carlos Brathwaite and Evin Lewis were also named in the squad. Some big names that missed out were Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels.

Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope have done exceedingly well for the team in the recent past and will play a pivotal role in the West Indies' campaign. Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas will form the pace attack.

Predicted Playing XI

Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, Jason Holder, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Oshane Thomas

#5 New Zealand

Can New Zealand win it's maiden World Cup title?

New Zealand Squad

Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham(wk), Colin Munro, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor

New Zealand was the first nation to announce the squad for the World Cup. Tom Blundell was given a nod ahead of Tim Seifert for the role of second wicket-keeper in the side. The Black Caps look like a well settled unit with every base covered. Kane Williamson will be crucial to New Zealand's batting unit.

He will be well supported by Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls and the experienced Ross Taylor. All-rounders Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner and James Neesham will provide flexibility to the Kiwis. Tim Southee and Trent Boult will lead the pace attack.

Predicted Playing XI

Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

#4 South Africa

South Africa has included the experienced Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and JP Duminy in the squad

South Africa Squad

Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Dale Steyn, Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa called back veteran Hashim Amla for the showpiece event. Amla hasn't been in great form in ODIs and has been out of the squad for a long time. However, the selectors preferred him over Reeza Hendricks who failed to grab the opportunities presented to him.

JP Duminy and Dale Steyn are other experienced players in the side alongside skipper Faf du Plessis. South Africa possesses a lethal pace attack with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn and Anrich Nortje in it.

Predicted Playing XI

Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir

#3 Australia

David Warner and Steven Smith will be back in Australian colors

Australia Squad

Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Alex Carey(wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon

Steve Smith and David Warner will return to international cricket after they were included in Australia's World Cup squad. Also included in the squad was pacer Mitchell Starc who hasn't been part of the ODI side for a considerable amount of time. The unlucky one to miss out was Peter Handscomb.

Handscomb was exceptional in Australia's triumph against India and Pakistan but was ignored by the selectors. Despite an outstanding performance as an opener, Usman Khawaja might have to bat in the middle order in order to accommodate Warner in the playing XI. Nathan Lyon was included as the second spinner in the side.

Predicted Playing XI

Aaron Finch, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

#2 India

Kohli-Dhoni combination will be key to India's chances at the World Cup

India Squad

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Vijay Shankar, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kedar Jadhav, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal

The Indian selectors have picked a strong side for the World Cup. The only two spots that were undecided were that of the batsman at number 4 position and the backup wicket-keeper. The selectors eventually went for the in-form Vijay Shankar and the experienced Dinesh Karthik.

The Indian team seems to be a well balanced side with a barrage of all-rounders in the mix. Virat Kohli will want to continue his purple patch in international cricket and will look upto MS Dhoni for major on-field and off-field decisions. India has been a batting heavy side for years, but with Jasprit Bumrah and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the squad, the Indian bowling attack will be one of the best in the tournament.

Predicted Playing XI

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat kohli, Vijay Shankar, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

#1 England

England has resisted the temptation of including Jofra Archer in the World Cup squad

England Squad

Eoin Morgan (c), Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, David Willey

England's World Cup squad selection was all about one man, Jofra Archer. Archer has been sensational in different T20 leagues around the world and will be eligible to play for England by the time World Cup commences. However, the England selectors resisted any such temptations and did not include Archer in the final 15.

England has been one of the most consistent ODI sides in the last couple of years and it was only fair to stick to the core set of players who have been part of this rise. However, all eyes will be on England's pace attack that has been taken apart by the opposition teams in the recent past.

Having said that, team England will start as the favorites to lift it's maiden World Cup title.

Predicted Playing XI

Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Mark Wood