Pakistan have announced their squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, with Babar Azam as captain of the side.

Pakistan have named a 15-member World Cup squad on Friday (September 22). Pacer Naseem Shah will miss the showpiece event because of an injury to his right shoulder, a blow he sustained during the Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours match against India. Hasan Ali has been named as his replacement. Hasan last played an ODI in June 2022 and featured in the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi early this year. The return of Haris Rauf to the side after an injury scare in the same fixture is a major boost for the number one ODI side.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has rued the unfortunate ouster of Shah and shared positive updates on the recovery of Rauf: “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.”

Shah’s unavailability will be a huge miss for Babar’s side, given his ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. He has made a sound start to his ODI career scalping 32 wickets at an average of 16.96.

The pace arsenal now comprises lynchpin Shaheen Shah Afridi with able support from Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Ali.

Saud Shakeel, who was added to Pakistan’s squad in the recently concluded Asia Cup, gets a berth as well. PCB has shown faith in Shakeel for his exploits in Tests, hoping his form in the red-ball format to seep through into his limited-overs game.  Spin-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz retains his spot while Faheem Ashraf has been axed.

Usama Mir, the rookie legspinner has received his maiden World Cup call-up. He made his debut in the New Zealand series in early 2023.

Mohammad Haris, leader of Pakistan ‘Shaheens’ in their triumphant Emerging Asia Cup 2023 campaign has joined mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and pacer Zaman Khan as the travelling reserves.

They begin their World Cup campaign with a game against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.

World Cup 2023: Pakistan squad

Batters

Babar Azam(C), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saul Shakeel

Wicketkeepers

Mohammad Rizwan

All-rounders

Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman

Bowlers

Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali

Reserves

Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan

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