Big Blow For Pakistan Ahead Of World Cup 2023-Naseem Shah Ruled Out Of Asia Cup: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that right-arm fast bowler Zaman Khan has been included in Pakistan’s 17-man team replacing Naseem Shah for the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. Zaman arrived with the team this morning and will train with them at the RPICS in the evening.
In their previous match, the Men in Green were defeated by arch-rivals India by 228 runs. Naseem suffered a shoulder injury in the same match and will miss the rest of the Asia Cup due to the forthcoming World Cup in India. Naseem was seen walking out of the ground after the 49th over. Pakistan has not yet announced the squad for ODI World Cup 2023. Naseem is one of the backbones of Pakistan’s pace attack if his injury lasted long he might miss the marque tournament.
Zaman Khan, who arrived in Sri Lanka this morning and will prepare with the squad ahead of the important encounter on September 14, has been called up as his substitute by the PCB. Naseem Shah’s departure will be regretted by Pakistan, as the young pacer had seven wickets in four matches of Asia Cup 2023 at an average of barely 20.
Zaman Khan, a right-handed bowler who has played for Pakistan in T20Is, is poised to replace Naseem in the team. Zaman has appeared in six Twenty20 Internationals for Pakistan, taking four wickets at an average of 32.5 and an economy of 6.66.
Haris Rauf Is Also Kept Under Observation.
In another update, Haris Rauf was being followed by the medical staff after being pulled out of the India match on the reserve day owing to discomfort in his right flank on the first day of play. According to the PCB update, he is healing nicely.
Rauf and Naseem did not bat in Pakistan’s chase against India, which concluded on 128 for a 228-run loss, affecting Pakistan’s prospects of reaching the Asia Cup final. In their last Super Four game, they must defeat Sri Lanka. If the game is called off due to inclement weather, Sri Lanka will advance to the final against India due to their better net run rate.
The PCB summoned Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani a day earlier after Shah and Rauf picked up minor niggles. The PCB stated that it was “only a precautionary measure in light of the players’ fitness and well-being ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next month.”
Pakistan Squad For Asia Cup 2023
Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (C), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel.
Backup players- Zaman Khan & Shahnawaz Dahani
