KYLE Abbott and Imran Tahir have both been included in South Africa’s World Cup squad.

The former Hampshire duo, one of whom could return to the county at the end of the forthcoming season, have both been named in a 15-man party for next month’s tournament.

Tahir’s Test future is less certain after being dropped for young off-spinner Simon Harmer, who took seven wickets on debut against the West Indies last week But he is available for South Africa’s two-match T20 series against the West Indies, which starts in Cape Town tomorrow, despite his uncharacteristic show of ‘serious dissent’ in a four-day match last month.

The leg-spinner confronted the umpires after being removed from attack for running on the wicket as he followed through, a problem he had while playing for Hampshire in September.

The Proteas’ opening game is against Zimbabwe, whose squad was also announced yesterday and includes former LymingtonCraig Ervine, brother of Hampshire all rounder Sean.

Meanwhile, former Hampshire slow left-armer Rangana Herath has been named in Sri Lanka’s squad as they prepare to contest the tournament’s opening game against New Zealand in Christchurch.

But former Hampshire bowler Sohail Tanvir has been left out of Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

The 30 year-old, who played for Hampshire in 2013, is one of five players in his country’s ODI squad for their recent series in New Zealand to be left out of the World Cup party.

He has effectively been replaced by Sohail Khan, a 30 year-old who has impressed in Pakistan’s domestic competitions of late.

But there is a place for 35 year-old Shahid Afridi, who starred for Hampshire in 2011, and who will be playing at his last World Cup.

Pakistan are not in England’s group and begin their campaign against rivals India in Adelaide on February 15.