Pakistan has unveiled its 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place in India during October and November. The national men’s selection committee, led by Inzamam-ul-Haq, has opted for consistency and confidence in the current squad, making just one change, which was also forced.
The only alteration to the squad that recently participated in the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023 is the replacement of fast bowler Naseem Shah with Hasan Ali. Naseem Shah sustained a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup match against India on September 11 and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. After extensive medical evaluations and consultations with top medical experts, it has been advised that Naseem undergo surgery, with an expected recovery time of three to four months.
The finalized Pakistan squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 comprises:
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Shadab Khan (vice-captain)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Salman Ali Agha
- Saud Shakeel
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usama Mir
Additionally, the selection committee has named three traveling reserves, including wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, and fast bowler Zaman Khan.
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Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed his congratulations to all the cricketers who made it to the squad through their impressive performances. He emphasized the squad’s exceptional performance over the past couple of years as the key reason for maintaining faith in the same group of players. Inzamam-ul-Haq noted the unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah as the sole reason for the forced change.
He also provided an optimistic update on Haris Rauf’s fitness, stating that Rauf has begun shadow bowling at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection.
Inzamam-ul-Haq declared, “I have a firm belief that this squad can bring the World Cup trophy to Pakistan and make the whole nation proud with their incredible performances. It is time to get behind our team and provide them with the backing and support that they need.”
Pakistan will kick off its World Cup campaign with two warm-up matches, facing New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3, before their tournament opener against the Netherlands on October 6.
Babar Azam’s side enters the mega-event as the number one ranked side and boasts the best win/loss ratio of 2.400 in this World Cup cycle for any team that has participated in the One-Day International format.
The team’s quest for World Cup glory aims to replicate their historic win in the 1992 edition when they lifted the trophy at the MCG after defeating England. Pakistan also featured in the final of the 1999 edition and reached the semi-finals in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2011.
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