Next month marks the beginning of the 2023 World Cup in India, and the Pakistan Cricket Board has selected a strong 18-member squad, including the traveling reserves. Hasan Ali, a seasoned pacer, will start the championship match in Naseem Shah’s place due to an injury.
Notably, due to a shoulder injury he acquired at the Asia Cup 2023, Naseem Shah will not take part in the big competition.
On the other side, Hasan Ali has participated in 60 ODIs for Pakistan and has 91 wickets at an average of 30.36. But in June 2022, he last played in an ODI series, getting only two wickets in four games.
Regarding Pakistan’s batting lineup, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, and Imam-ul-Haq have been chosen as the top-order batsmen.
While Mohammad Rizwan, veteran all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed, and Agha Salman are positioned in the middle order, captain Babar Azam will bat at number three. First-choice all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz will play, while Mohammad Wasim Jr., Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali lead the pace attack.
Pakistan’s World Cup team for 2023
Mohammad Nawaz, Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
The backup reserves are Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, and Muhammad Haris.