KARACHI: Following a disappointing performance in the 2023 Asia Cup, seasoned players in Pakistan’s cricket team are likely to be replaced.
With the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 just a month away, concerns have surfaced about the team’s readiness given the recent string of injuries amongst its key players.
An early exit from the Asia Cup, following losses to India and Sri Lanka in the ‘Super 4’ stages, intensified these concerns.
Reports suggest that Babar Azam (Team Captain), Mickey Arthur (Director), Inzamam-ul-Haq (Chief Selector), and Grant Bradburn (Head Coach) are closely examining the fitness concerns clouding the team.
Simultaneously, the selecting committee has started mapping out alternatives, raising speculations about the future of certain senior members in the team.
Sources mention that a tentative squad for the much-anticipated ICC World Cup 2023 was in place, and the players were informally notified about their participation. Yet, the failure to make it to the Asia Cup finals has signaled a shift in calculations.
The Chief Selector, Inzamam, is particularly distressed about the losses and the injuries jamming the progress of crucial players like Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
It was recently hinted by the Captain, Babar, that the injured bowler Naseem may be sidelined for parts of the World Cup. Worth recalling, Naseem was declared unfit for the Asia Cup due to a right shoulder injury incurred during a ‘Super 4’ match against India.
Similarly, the team’s Vice-Captain, Shadab Khan, and the formidable batter, Fakhar Zaman, are experiencing a dip in form.
Babar attributed the Asia Cup losses to underwhelming bowling performances, suggesting that the team lacked adaptability on the given pitch.
PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf paid a visit to the team’s hotel to uplift their spirits, but this reportedly added to their stress.
To regroup, Misbah-ul-Haq (Head of Integration and Technical Committee) and Inzamam are planning to convene with the local selectors. Anticipated changes in the lineup will be proposed to Babar, Arthur, and Bradburn.
It’s worth highlighting that 10 teams will compete for the coveted World Cup across ten venues between October 5 and November 19. The tournament will kick off and conclude at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The championship will be a round-robin league, encompassing a total of 45 matches where all teams face off against each other. From there, the top four teams will proceed to the semi-finals scheduled for November 15th and 16th in Mumbai and Kolkata, respectively. Reserve days have been set for these crucial games and the final.
As of now, Pakistan’s squad for this marquee event hasn’t been declared.
Pakistan’s itinerary for the ICC World Cup 2023 is as follows:
Oct 6 – vs Netherlands, Hyderabad
Oct 10 – vs Sri Lanka, Hyderabad
Oct 14 – vs India, Ahmedabad
Oct 20 – vs Australia, Bengaluru
Oct 23 – vs Afghanistan, Chennai
Oct 27 – vs South Africa, Chennai
Oct 31 – vs Bangladesh, Kolkata
Nov 4 – vs New Zealand, Bengaluru (Day match)
Nov 11 – vs England, Kolkata
While ‘day matches’ are slated to start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), all other fixtures will commence at 01:30pm (PST).
