Pakistan chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq attended a press conference on Friday to confirm Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 squad. The one major selection was that of the senior pacer Hasan Ali to replace the injured Naseem Shah.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf, batsman Mohammad Haris and pacer Zaman Khan have not been picked, while Haris is in the reserves as the backup wicket-keeper. Pakistan have also included young leg-spinner Usama Mir in the squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq have come under pressure after Pakistan’s debacle in the Asia Cup 2023.
In the Asia Cup, Babar Azam‘s team finished fourth in the Super 4 round, losing embarrassingly to India by a massive margin and losing to Sri Lanka on the last ball of the match. A shoulder injury to Naseem Shah further raised their concerns, forcing them to bring back the experienced Hasan Ali, who last played an ODI in in January 2023.
I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav: Inzamam-ul-Haq
Pakistan would hope that their spinners learn from Kuldeep Yadav’s success at the Asia Cup. Kuldeep was given the Player of the Tournament award in the Asia Cup for his 9 wickets in 4 innings at an average of only 11, including a five-fer vs Pakistan.
In the press conference, a journalist compared Kuldeep Yadav with left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. Inzamam-ul-Haq came up with a funny reply.
“You have come up with some good stats on both bowlers but let me say that I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav…for me that’s an issue as he is from another team,” the former Pakistan captain said, eliciting laughter among the journalists.
Pakistan will play two warm-up matches – vs New Zealand and Australia in Hyderabad – before starting their World Cup campaign vs Netherlands on October 6.
Pakistan World Cup 2023 Squad:
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali
