Pakistan Announce Final Squad For ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Hasan Ali Comes In For Injured Naseem Shah In Babar Azam’s Team

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman of selectors and former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq announced the Pakistan squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 beginning in India next month. Babar Azam will be leading the side while all-rounder Shadab Khan has been appointed his deputy.

However, in a big blow, pacer Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. Veteran pacer Hasan Ali comes into the side as replacement for Naseem and will partner the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

The other bowlers in the squad are Usama Mir and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Test specialist Saud Shakeel and opener Abdullah Shafique, who scored a fifty in Pakistan’s last match against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023, have also been selected in the side. All-rounder Agha Salman, who was hit by a painful blow on the face in the Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match against India.

Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in the World Cup match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. 

“Naseem was injured, he was our main bowler and it was unfortunate,” Inzamam said on Naseem in the media conference to announce the squad on Friday. “Hasnain has an ankle injury and is out injured and so is Ihsanullah. If you say Hasan Ali performing in the LPL, or other performances, he has performed better than most. He is an experienced bowler who has played big mega events for Pakistan and performed well in them. And when Naseem was ruled out, we needed someone who could bowl with the new ball. He bowls well with both old and new ball, and is a team man. His presence lends energy to the team.

“Unfortunately, the report we have from our doctors, we hear Naseem will be out for a longer time than just the World Cup. At this time, he was the world’s best bowler in my view. It’s a loss for Pakistan and we hope he’s fit soon,” he added.

Hasan Ali last played an ODI in June 2022 and last played for Pakistan in the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi in January this year. Pakistan’s World Cup squad announcement was delayed by several days as the PCB took stock of a disappointing Asia Cup 2023 campaign where they finished bottom of the Super Four group, as a result of defeats to India and Sri Lanka. The board also waited on a second opinion on Naseem Shah’s injury diagnosis.

Pakistan unveil squad for the World Cup campaign ___

More details __ https://t.co/hanhk17ACZ#WeHaveWeWill | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/HY9cWDGnQn — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 22, 2023

Pakistan team for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr 

Traveling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris