Yusuf, Ashwin expected to be in World Cup probables

Mumbai:

Hard-hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan and off-spinner R Ashwin are expected to be included in India's 30-member strong World Cup probables list by the selectors here on Saturday.

While Baroda's Pathan pummelled his way to 123 not out off 98 balls with 7 sixes and as many fours in the fourth ODI at Bangalore against New Zealand on December 7, apart from grabbing crucial wickets with his off breaks in the series, Tamil Nadu's Ashwin captured the highest number of wickets (nine) in the bilateral rubber.

Also expected to be named in the World Cup squad is southpaw Parthiv Patel, who grabbed his chances with both hands after he was given an opportunity to prove his worth in the last two matches of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.

In both the ODIs, Parthiv came up with impressive knocks as an opener.

Meanwhile, surprise inclusions in the 30-man list is unlikely, which would be pruned when the final squad for the mega event - to be held in the sub-continent from February 19 to April 2 - will be named, according to selection committee sources.

The final team is to be declared a month before the commencement of the World Cup as per the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Meanwhile, the BCCI's working committee is also set to meet on Saturday in what sources said would be a "routine meeting" to ratify decisions taken by its sub committees - including the IPL Governing Council - after its last meeting.

Among others, it would ratify the IPL Governor Council's decision of December 5 to allow franchise Kochi Cricket Pvt. Ltd. to take part in IPL 4 after the owners buried their differences following hectic parleys to the satisfaction of the T20 League's authorities.