- Pakistan considers squad changes for ICC World Cup 2023.
- Hassan Ali and Abrar Ahmed may be included.
- Schedule and key players outlined.
Karachi: As Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finalizes its squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in India, selectors find themselves in a perplexing situation regarding Shadab Khan. Following an early exit from the Asia Cup 2023, the team’s performance has triggered a thorough evaluation of player combinations.
The team management, led by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and skipper Babar Azam, is contemplating adjustments to the 15-member squad for this prestigious tournament. Sources indicate that due to recent performances, the prospects of Mohammad Haris, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Faheem Asraf securing spots in the World Cup squad seem dim.
In contrast, there is a likelihood of Hassan Ali and the right-arm leg-break spinner Abrar Ahmed being included in the 15-member squad. Furthermore, despite concerns surrounding the form of opener Fakhar Zaman and vice-captain Shadab Khan, it appears they may still find a place in the team for the mega event.
The prospective 15-member squad for Pakistan in the World Cup 2023 is shaping up as follows: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdulla Shafiq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Zaman Khan.
Pakistan’s schedule for the ICC World Cup 2023 is as follows:
– October 6 – Pakistan vs. Netherlands in Hyderabad
– October 10 – Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in Hyderabad
– October 14 – Pakistan vs. India in Ahmedabad
– October 20 – Pakistan vs. Australia in Bengaluru
– October 23 – Pakistan vs. Afghanistan in Chennai
– October 27 – Pakistan vs. South Africa in Chennai
– October 31 – Pakistan vs. Bangladesh in Kolkata
– November 4 – Pakistan vs. New Zealand in Bengaluru (Day match)
– November 11 – Pakistan vs. England in Kolkata
Day matches will commence at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while all other fixtures will be day-night encounters, starting at 01:30 pm PST.
In the event of Pakistan qualifying for the semi-finals, their match will be held in Kolkata. Similarly, if India reaches the semi-finals, their venue will be Mumbai, unless they face Pakistan, in which case Kolkata will host the encounter.