ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023: BABAR AZAM LED PAKISTAN DEPENDENT ON SKIPPER

As mentioned above, Naseem's absence could hinder Pakistan's growth. The 20-year-old with his promising economy rate and nagging length and line would have been a top force. Hasan's return is marked with questions...

Pakistan had a rather disappointing Asia Cup 2023 campaign and now their focus shifted to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, starting October 5. The Men in Green announced their ODI squad after the Asia Cup and recalled Hasan Ali. Notably, Naseem Shah, who suffered an injury during the Asia Cup, has been ruled out of the World Cup, handing Pakistan a severe blow. Pakistan have named three travelling reserves - wicket keeper-batter Mohamad Haris, spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Zaman Khan for the World Cup. They would be considered if there were any injuries in the squad. Going by Pakistan’s recent scenes at the Asia Cup, the side looks dependent on skipper Babar. Batting remains a weak link for the Men in Green and this is something they will need to address. Also, the ruling out of Naseem dents Pakistan further. In 14 ODIs, he has claimed 32 scalps at 16.96. Pakistan will feel gutted to miss his services. Hasan, who has 91 ODI scalps, last played an ODI match against West Indies in Multan, in 2022. Pakistan have a decent squad in place and if they scale the full potential, a desired approach could be achievable. Ahead of the World Cup on October 5, here we present the analysis of Pakistan.

A LOOK AT PAKISTAN’S 15-MEMBER ICC WORLD CUP SQUAD 

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Wasim Junior, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Osama Mir.

NASEEM’S INJURY A MAJOR BLOW