Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The revelation faced delays as the team management conducted consultations in the wake of a humiliating elimination from the Asia Cup, as well as injuries sustained by key bowlers during the tournament. As expected, Naseem Shah has been excluded from the squad due to an injury sustained during the continental tournament. In his place, the management has decided to include Hasan Ali.
Pakistan Squad for ODI World Cup 2023
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), M Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir.
Reserves: Mohammad Haris, Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed.
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Pakistan have added legspinner Usama Mir to their squad, even though he wasn’t part of the Asia Cup team. The pace attack for Pakistan in the upcoming World Cup consists of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr, with Mohammad Haris as a reserve option. Spin-bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz retains his spot, but Faheem Ashraf has been left out.
Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup have been challenging in recent weeks. They suffered significant losses to India and Sri Lanka, leading to their elimination from the Asia Cup. Frequent travel between Pakistan and Sri Lanka also took a toll on the team, and injuries began to accumulate, with players like Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf missing matches, and Shaheen, Salman Ali Agha, and Imam-ul-Haq dealing with minor injuries.
Pakistan’s World Cup journey begins with a closed-door warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29, followed by another against Australia on October 3. Their first official tournament match is scheduled against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad. Their high-voltage clash against India is scheduled for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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