In an eagerly awaited announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 15-member squad representing the nation in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. This revelation comes after a series of consultations within the team management following Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the Asia Cup, coupled with injuries to key bowlers. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq introduced the squad during a press conference at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
Babar Azam has been entrusted with the captaincy, carrying the anticipations and aspirations of millions of cricket enthusiasts across Pakistan. Shadab Khan assumes the role of vice-captain, adding depth to the team’s leadership and strategy.
One of the significant announcements made during the squad reveal was the inclusion of Hasan Ali in place of the injured pacer Naseem Shah. Shah’s shoulder injury prevented him from the tournament, allowing Ali to return to One-Day International (ODI) cricket. This marks a significant return for Ali, who last appeared in an ODI against West Indies in Multan in 2022.
Inzamam-ul-Haq expressed his confidence in the squad’s capabilities, noting, “We were forced to make one change because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah. We had a few injury scares in the recent Asia Cup, but I am glad to share that all the players are fully fit and are eager to perform for their country in the all-important tournament. I have received encouraging reports from our medical panel about Haris Rauf. He has started to (shadow) bowl at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection.”
With the tournament taking place in India from October 5 to November 19, Pakistan’s cricket fans are looking to their team to bring home the coveted World Cup trophy. Pakistan enters the mega-event as the number one ranked side, boasting the best win/loss ratio of 2.4 among teams participating in this World Cup cycle for the ODI format.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will feature ten teams battling for the prestigious title across ten venues. The tournament opener and final will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The competition will follow a round-robin format, with each team playing against all others in 45 league matches.
The top four teams emerging from the league stage will progress to the semifinals, which will occur in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. To ensure the integrity of the competition, the semifinals and the final will have reserved days.
Squad: 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.
As Pakistan prepares to embark on its ICC World Cup 2023 journey, its cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate an exhilarating competition filled with thrilling moments. With an array of talents in their arsenal, Pakistan’s squad aims to bring pride and glory back to the country, uniting fans in their shared passion for the sport and unwavering support for the team’s quest for cricketing excellence.