The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the 15-man squad representing the country in the ICC World Cup 2023. The dynamic Babar Azam will take on the role of captain, leading the team’s charge in this tournament, in a move many expected.
One of the significant changes in the squad is the inclusion of Hasan Ali, who has replaced Naseem Shah. Furthermore, His unfortunate shoulder injury during the Asia Cup 2023 has left him sidelined for an extended period. This setback has added to the challenges Pakistan’s cricket team has been facing recently. Hasan Ali, who has replaced Naseem Shah, is one of the squad’s most notable changes. Whilst, it’s worth noting that Hasan Ali has last played for Pakistan in an ODI in 2022 when they faced the West Indies in Multan.
The chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, conducted the squad announcement ceremony at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan’s ICC World Cup 2023 Squad
– Babar Azam (Captain)
– Abdullah Shafique
– Fakhar Zaman
– Imam-ul-Haq
– Iftikhar Ahmed
– Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
– Shadab Khan
– Mohammad Nawaz
– Usama Mir
– Haris Rauf
– M Wasim Jnr
– Hasan Ali
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Saud Shakeel
– Salman Ali Agha
Travelling Reserves
– Mohammad Haris
– Abrar Ahmed
– Zaman Khan
Pakistan has made two key changes from the squad that participated in the Asia Cup 2023. The exclusion of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and the placement of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris in the reserves mark notable decisions for the upcoming World Cup squad.
Venue & Schedule
The ICC World Cup 2023 will be hosted in India, with ten powerful teams competing for the coveted title across ten venues. The tournament begins on October 5th and ends on November 19th, with the opening and final matches taking place at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Furthermore, this year’s Cricket World Cup will feature a format in which each team will compete against one another in 45 league matches. Subsequently, the top four teams from this stage will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 15th and 16th in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively. In addition, it’s important to note that the semi-finals and final will have designated reserve days.
Warmup Matches
Nevertheless, before we delve into the main event, Pakistan has some serious warming up to do. Firstly, they’ll face New Zealand on September 29th; subsequently, just a few days later, they’ll go head-to-head against Australia on October 3rd. Their tournament opener is scheduled for October 6th against the Netherlands.
Historical Glory
Throughout Pakistan’s cricketing journey, there’s one chapter that shines brightly. In 1992, they achieved a crowning moment by defeating England at the MCG. It’s a memory that continues to resonate with cricket enthusiasts.These moments, filled with passion and determination, are a testament to Pakistan’s enduring legacy in the world of cricket.
Conclusion
The cricketing world awaits the ICC World Cup 2023, with a keen focus on Babar Azam’s squad aiming to replicate their 1992 victory. Pakistan appears to be well-positioned for success, with a strong lineup and the coveted number-one ranking. Stay tuned for all the exciting action in this epic cricket season!
