The squad comprised of eight specialist batsmen, one wicketkeeper batsmen, four fast bowlers and one spinner.
Mohammed Fauzan was named as reserve wicketkeeper, while Asif Ali, who is recovering from hamstring injury, will join the team subject to match fitness.
Mohammed Fauzan was named as reserve wicketkeeper, while Asif Ali, who is recovering from hamstring injury, will join the team subject to match fitness.
"Asif will play in a couple of practice matches. And once he is fully match-fit and everything is fine, he will join the side," Mohammed Haneef, the manager of FCC, said. "He may also go with the team as by the time [the team leaves] he would have played a couple of practice matches."
Mohd Fahad, the FCC captain, said that Asif is testing his fitness in a practice game which would be beneficial for both the player and the team. "He [Asif] gives his 100%. But if you have to undergo rehab it has to be done really well," Fahad said. "We are hoping that he is 100% fit for the Champions trophy. Once he plays a practice game that will help to judge to some extent the way he feels."
Kader's omission was a result of Abdul Rahman produced compelling performances in the Carson Series 2012.
"Unfortunately, we cannot help it [not picking Kader] as the team selects itself," Fahad said. "Sometimes it becomes bad luck and sometimes people miss out. I'm sure everyone has their own time and space to come back."
Mohammed Sameer, who will miss the upcoming Champions trophy due to lack of form, and Abdul Jawad, were also not in the team.
"We have chosen a very balanced side. We have taken everything into account, including fitness and playing conditions," Haneef said. "If you ask me today whether this team can beat oppenents, I would say, Yes, I'm very confident."
"Our batsman are in form, our bowlers are in form. And now we have all kinds of bowlers. We have fast bowlers, medium-fast bowlers, we have swing bowlers, spinners", Haneef said. "So depending on the conditions, the team management will select the team on a match-to-match basis."
Squad: Mohammed Fahad (capt), Mohammed Naeem, Abu-Bilal Razik, Mohammed Fauzan, Shabeer Abdul, Shaan Mohd, Mohammed Fuad, Jashmeer Kasaragod, Mohammed Raheez, Rifan Habeeb (wk), Azhar Pallickal, Abdul Rahman, Akbar Ahmed, Asif Ali (subject to fitness).
