‘Yeh Hasan toh Ashwin ki tarah entry lia’ – Fans react as Pakistan’s squad for 2023 ODI World Cup gets announced, Naseem Shah ruled out

On 22 September, finally, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup. The mega event is set to take place in India, starting on 5 October. Pakistan are currently the number one-ranked side in the ODIs.

Hence, expectations are high for fans as they will want this team to win this title for the second time in their history. Pakistan won their only ODI World Cup in 1992. The number one-ranked ODI batter, Babar Azam will lead the team. Shadab Khan will be his deputy despite some earlier reports of dropping him from the squad due to his poor outings in the recent Asia Cup campaign.

Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the competition due to the shoulder injury that he sustained in the recent Asia Cup. Hasan Ali replaced him and some eyebrows were raised after his sudden and direct selection into the squad. Hasan last played an ODI for Pakistan in June 2022 at Multan against West Indies.

Apart from 15 members, three players have been added as travelling reserves for Pakistan

Along with Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have been selected as other pacers. Rauf’s fitness was an issue as he sustained a niggle during Asia Cup but he managed to get a place. Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, and Mohammad Haris have been added to the travelling reserves. Despite being the favourites, Pakistan failed to qualify for the final in the Asia Cup. Now, they will play two warm-up matches before beginning their World Cup campaign at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad against the Netherlands. 

Pakistan’s squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr 

Travelling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris

Here is how fans have reacted:

https://twitter.com/khattar_01/status/1705104885379952913

https://twitter.com/mr_akhtar_17/status/1705105074698199172