Pakistan has unveiled their 15-member team for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place in India during October and November. The selection, overseen by the Inzamam-ul-Haq-led national men’s selection committee, has largely maintained consistency, with just a single alteration from the team that participated in the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023.
Pace bowler Naseem Shah makes way for Hasan Ali due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup match against India on 11 September, which led to his exit from the competition. Following comprehensive medical assessments and expert consultations, Naseem is slated for surgery and is projected to be sidelined for three to four months.
Pakistan Squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usama Mir.
Additionally, the selectors have identified three travelling reserves: wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris, enigmatic spinner Abrar Ahmed, and fast bowler Zaman Khan.
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq remarked, “World Cup is the most important event in any cricketer’s life and I want to congratulate all the cricketers who have made it to the squad through their impressive performances. This team has performed wonderfully well over the last couple of years and that is why we have shown faith in the same bunch.
“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.
“I have a firm belief that this squad can bring the World Cup trophy to Pakistan and make the whole nation proud with their incredible performances. It is time to get behind our team and provide them with the backing and support that they need.”
Pakistan's preparatory matches include fixtures against New Zealand on 29 September and Australia on 3 October, leading up to their inaugural match against the Netherlands on 6 October.
Entering the grand tournament as the top-ranked team, Babar Azam's squad boasts an impressive win/loss ratio of 2.400 in this World Cup cycle, the best among teams in the One-Day International format.
In the 2019 World Cup, Pakistan narrowly missed a semi-final berth due to an inferior net run-rate compared to New Zealand. The team's pinnacle achievement was in 1992 when they clinched the title by defeating England at the MCG. Pakistan also reached the final in 1999 and made it to the semi-finals in 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2011.
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