Pacer Naseem Shah is racing against time to regain fitness before the upcoming ODI World Cup in India and might miss out on Pakistan’s initial matches in the showpiece tournament, skipper Babar Azam said on Thursday (September 14).
However, another speedster Haris Rauf is “recovering well” from a side strain and will be fit in time for their opening fixture against Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6, the captain informed.
The fast-bowling duo sustained injuries during Pakistan’s Super-4 clash against India in the ongoing Asia Cup and didn’t feature in the team’s playing XI versus Sri Lanka on Thursday.
While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to give an update on Naseem’s return to competitive action following a right shoulder injury, Babar expressed uncertainty regarding the former’s fitness for the start of the World Cup.
Pakistan are slated to open their 2023 World Cup campaign against the Netherlands at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on October 6.
“I’ll tell you later… Not telling you our Plan B now. But, yes, Haris Rauf is not bad. He’s just got a little bit of a side strain, but he’s recovering before the World Cup,” Babar told reporters.
“Naseem Shah also… they have a couple of miss matches, I don’t know (how long) the recovery (is), but in my opinion, Naseem Shah also (will be) in the World Cup later on. But let’s see,” he added.
Notably, Zaman Khan replaced Naseem Shah in Pakistan’s playing XI for the Super-4 clash against Sri Lanka at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
However, Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the Asia Cup final were crushed as they suffered a heartbreaking two-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka.
In a rain-marred affair, the Men in Green posted 252/7 in their allotted 42 overs on the back of Mohammad Rizwan’s stunning 86* from 73 balls and valiant knocks from Abdullah Shafique (52) and Iftikhar Ahmed (47).
In reply, Kusal Mendis led a determined batting effort for Sri Lanka with a brilliant knock of 91 in 87 balls. He was well supported by Charith Asalanka (49 not out) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (48) as the hosts successfully chased down the target on the final delivery.
This result means that Dasun Shanaka’s men will now face Rohit Sharma’s India in the final to be played on Sunday (September 17) at the same venue.
(With PTI Inputs)
