Pakistan finally announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Men's ODI World Cup with surprise inclusions which has opened up a whole lot of debate in the cricketing sphere. Pakistan's decision to rope in Hasan Ali, despite his hiatus from ODIs since June 2022, has drawn attention. Delving deeper into this choice, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq expounded on the factors leading to Hasan's inclusion in the squad.
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The road to World Cup 2023 hasn't been devoid of challenges for the Pakistani cricket team. They encountered a setback when Naseem Shah, one of their primary bowlers, succumbed to a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup. Such unexpected injuries necessitated a reconsideration of the team's strategy, pushing the selectors to revisit their options.
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Inzamam highlighted the injury toll, stating, "Naseem Shah unfortunately got injured and he's our main bowler. Hasnain had an ankle operation. Ihsanullah had an elbow operation. We had few options left among fast bowlers due to injuries." He further underscored Hasan Ali's recent performance, emphasizing his impressive stint in the LPL and previous noteworthy contributions to the team in significant tournaments. "Hassan Ali bowled well in the LPL and elsewhere recently. He is experienced and has played well for Pakistan previously in big events," he remarked in a recent press conference.
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In the Lanka Premier League, Hasan Ali showcased his prowess, representing Dambulla Aura. His commendable performance saw him clinch eight wickets in merely five matches, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.78.
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The void left by Naseem Shah's absence made it imperative for Pakistan to find a potent partner for Shaheen Shah Afridi, especially for handling the new ball. Inzamam elaborated on this requirement, asserting, "Once Naseem Shah was ruled out, we also needed a bowler who could bowl with the new ball, and I think Hassan Ali is a great choice. He bowls well with the old ball too, and is a team man as well. He brings energy into the team."
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Hasan Ali's track record in the ODI format is noteworthy. In his journey through 60 ODIs, he's managed to bag 91 wickets. His economy rate stands at a respectable 5.75, and he's secured four five-wicket hauls. While he's only been a part of seven ODIs post the 2019 World Cup, he's managed to claim nine wickets, underscoring his consistent ability to deliver.
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Pakistan's Squad for ODI World Cup:
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.
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