The Inzamam-ul-Haq-led selection panel announced Pakistan's World Cup squad on Friday.
As expected, star pacer Naseem Shah wasn’t included in the side due to a shoulder injury he sustained in the Asia Cup Super 4 clash against India. Veteran campaigner Hasan Ali replaced him in the squad.
Another fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was struggling with injury in the Asia Cup, has been included in the squad. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the Pakistan pace attack, also featuring Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Talking about the spin department, the Men in Green opted for the trio of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir. Notably, the duo of Shadab and Nawaz failed to leave a mark in the recently held Asia Cup while the spinners of other teams dominated the batters and returned with impressive figures.
On the day of Pakistan’s World Cup squad announcement, chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq addressed a media conference, where a reporter compared the statistics of Pakistan spinners with that of Kuldeep Yadav, who played a critical role in India’s Asia Cup 2023 triumph.
In response, Inzamam gave a hilarious answer, citing that he could not select Kuldeep for the Pakistan cricket team as the wrist-spinner plays for India.
“You have come up with some good stats on both bowlers but let me say that I cannot select Kuldeep Yadav…for me that's an issue as he is from another team,” Inzamam told the reporters.
"We have selected Shadab and Nawaz because we wanted continuity. The World Cup squad is planned for years ahead, and cannot be changed abruptly. Shadab and Nawaz have been doing very well for Pakistan for the past two years. They have not been taking wickets in the middle and performing up to their own caliber but they have done so in the past and we have confidence in them," he added.
There were doubts if Fakhar Zaman will make it to the World Cup squad given his poor form lately but the selectors showed faith in the senior opener. Young batters such as Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman also featured in the squad.
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.
Pakistan squad for World Cup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali
Travelling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan and Mohammad Haris
(With PTI Inputs)