Asia Cup 2023 struggles
affect World Cup squad.
Key players like Babar Azam
and Shaheen Afridi expected.
Tough World Cup schedule
includes India clash.
Pakistan’s
disappointing performance in the Asia Cup 2023 has created a challenging
situation for selectors as they struggle to finalize a 15-man squad for the
highly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Chief
Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and Captain Babar Azam believe that changes in the
squad are necessary following the subpar display by several players. However,
Team Director Mickey Arthur is notably absent from the selection process as he
remains involved in county cricket in England.
The
underwhelming performances of players like Mohammad Haris, Wasim Junior, Usama
Mir, and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have cast doubts on their inclusion in the
World Cup squad. On the other hand, discussions within the selection panel
revolve around the inclusion of Hasan Ali and the mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Interestingly,
despite their prolonged out-of-form periods, vice-captain Shadab Khan and
left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman seem to have secured their spots in the World
Cup squad, despite concerns about their form.
Pakistan’s
early exit from the Asia Cup 2023, following consecutive losses to India and
Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage, has added urgency to the squad selection
process.
The
likely squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 includes:
Babar
Azam (c)
Imam-ul-Haq
Fakhar
Zaman
Abdullah
Shafique
Salman
Ali Agha
Iftikhar
Ahmed
Saud
Shakeel
Muhammad
Rizwan (wk)
Abrar
Ahmed
Muhammad
Nawaz
Shadab
Khan
Shaheen
Shah Afridi
Haris
Rauf
Hasan
Ali
Zaman
Khan
Pakistan’s
World Cup schedule is as follows:
October
6 – vs Netherlands in Hyderabad
October
10 – vs Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
October
14 – vs India in Ahmedabad
October
20 – vs Australia in Bengaluru
October
23 – vs Afghanistan in Chennai
October
27 – vs South Africa in Chennai
October
31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November
4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November
11 – vs England in Kolkata
Day
matches will start at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while all other
matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30 pm (PST). If Pakistan qualifies
for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata. If India reaches the
semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai unless facing Pakistan, in which case the
match will be held in Kolkata.