In an exciting turn of events, Pakistan has unveiled its formidable 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, set to take place in India from October to November. This decision was driven by the selectors’ unwavering confidence in the current team’s performance and consistency, with only one forced change made from the squad that recently participated in the Asia Cup.
The change came about due to an unfortunate shoulder injury suffered by fast bowler Naseem Shah during a match against India in the Asia Cup on September 11, which forced him out of the tournament. After thorough medical consultations, it was determined that Naseem Shah needed surgery and would require three to four months for recovery. In his place, the selectors have called up Hasan Ali, a seasoned bowler with a wealth of experience.
He commended the squad’s outstanding performance in recent years and stated that, despite some injury concerns during the Asia Cup, all players are now totally fit and eager to represent their country on the international scene.
One particularly positive development is the recovery of Haris Rauf, who has started practicing at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection. Inzamam-ul-Haq firmly believes that this squad has what it takes to bring the World Cup trophy home to Pakistan, urging fans to rally behind the team with unwavering support.
Pakistan’s journey in the tournament will kick off with two warm-up matches, facing New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3. Their first official match will be against the Netherlands on October 6, 2023.
Pakistan enters the World Cup as the number one ranked team and boasts the best win/loss ratio of 2.400 in the One-Day International format during this World Cup cycle. While the team narrowly missed a semifinal spot in the 2019 World Cup due to a lower net run-rate compared to New Zealand, they have a strong history in the competition, with a victory in 1992 and appearances in the final in 1999 and the semi-finals in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2011.
Pakistan Team Squad World Cup 2023
The squad includes: 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, and Usama Mir.
Additionally, three reserve players have been named: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, and Zaman Khan.
With a promising squad in place, Pakistan’s cricket fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India, hoping for a memorable performance from their team
