Bowler Hassan Ali was included in Cricket Chief Selector Inzamam ul Haq’s 18-man Pakistan team for the ICC World Cup 2023 on Friday. Naseem Shah, who was injured in the Asia Cup, was absent.
Archrivals India will host the World Cup on October 5. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad will host Pakistan’s first match on October 6 versus the Netherlands.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup losses to India and Sri Lanka were upsetting. India won the tournament.
Hassan Ali replaced Naseem Shah in the Asia Cup match against India after the latter suffered a shoulder injury. Harris Rauf, who suffered an injury in the same game, is a member of the group. Shaheen Afridi, a pacer, is on the team.
Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Hasnain, Asia Cup bowlers, were excluded.
Inzamam said the medium-paced bowler was picked because of his familiarity with a new ball. Ali has not played an ODI since June 2022.
We needed a bowler who could bowl with a new ball after Naseem left, and Hasan Ali is perfect.”
He claimed that Hassan Ali was a “team man” who would energize the group.
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Selection Committee Thoughts:
The top selector explained that Naseem Shah’s injury prevented him from picking the pacer since the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had received rumors that he would remain sidelined after the World Cup.
The previous captain claimed the team is mostly the same.
There have been no modifications. Inzamam stated that disrupting the team’s two-year-old lineup after only three weeks in charge would be inappropriate.. He noted that the selection committee sought experienced players “who can handle the enormity of the event”.
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“We picked Hasan Ali because he has played international tournaments and performed at the highest level,” he stated.
He stated the board “has not shut the doors” for “performers well on the domestic circuit” to join the club.
Inzamam said Pakistan’s domestic cricket performance is the primary selection factor.
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“They played the Test Series, Lankan Premier League, Afghanistan Series, and Asia Cup there. Inzamam wondered if our bowlers and batters were hurt by playing in such conditions for so long.
Pakistan topped the ODI rankings before the World Cup. We must trust these players.”
Pacer Naseem Shah confirmed on his X account that he would not represent Pakistan in the World Cup.
“With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that I will not be part of this amazing team that will represent our beloved country,” Naseem stated.
“I’m disappointed, but Allah has everything. He said he would be on the field soon.
Squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imamul Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, (wicketkeeper) Mohammad Wasim, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir
Reserve Squad: Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan
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