By Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the men’s squad that will represent the nation in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. The team will be captained by the talented batter Babar Azam, a pivotal figure in Pakistan’s cricketing lineup.
A significant change was anticipated as Hasan Ali was named to replace Naseem Shah in the 15-member World Cup squad. This change comes after Naseem Shah suffered a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup 2023, forcing him to step aside and recuperate.
Hasan Ali, who last participated in an ODI match for Pakistan in 2022 against West Indies in Multan, is expected to bring his experience and skill to the team. The squad announcement was made by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The complete Pakistan squad for ICC World Cup 2023 includes:
- Babar Azam (c)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Shadab Khan
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Usama Mir
- Haris Rauf
- M Wasim Jnr
- Hasan Ali
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Saud Shakeel
- Salman Ali Agha
Additionally, there are travelling reserves:
- Mohammad Haris
- Abrar Ahmed
- Zaman Khan
The squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 has been modified from the Asia Cup 2023 lineup, with Faheem Ashraf being excluded and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris moving to the reserves.
The ICC World Cup 2023 is scheduled to take place in India, featuring 10 teams battling for the coveted title. The tournament is set to occur from October 5 to November 19, with matches spread across 10 venues. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host both the tournament opener and the final.
The Cricket World Cup will adopt a round-robin format, ensuring that each team plays against all others, resulting in a total of 45 league matches. The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which are planned for November 15 in Mumbai and November 16 in Kolkata. The semi-finals and the final will have designated reserve days to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances.
Pakistan’s Schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023:
- 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
The matches will commence at 10:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST) for day games, and all other matches will be day-night fixtures, starting at 01:30 pm (PST).
In the event that Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, the team will play in Kolkata. However, if India secures a spot in the semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai unless facing Pakistan, in which case the match will be held in Kolkata.
This ICC World Cup promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested tournament, showcasing the best of cricket from around the world.
