• Source:JND
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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the squad for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup in India, starting on October 5. Pacer Hasan Ali has replaced injured Naseem Shah in the 15-member list while spinner Usama Mir also earned a recall to the ODI side after missing the Asia Cup.

Star batter Babar Azam will lead the side with all-rounder Shadab Khan as his deputy for the quadrennial event. Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman and Saud Shakeel will bolster the batting line-up.

First-choice pacer Naseem sustained a shoulder injury during Pakistan's Super Four match against India in the Asia Cup and ruled him out of the marquee event. The selectors have also named three traveling reserves in wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Zaman Khan, who made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in the final Super Four match. 

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr will be other pace bowling options available in the tournament.

"Naseem was injured, he was our main bowler and it was unfortunate. Hasnain has an ankle injury and is out injured and so is Ihsanullah," Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said in the press conference.

"Unfortunately, the report we have from our doctors, we hear Naseem will be out for a longer time than just the World Cup. At this time, he was the world's best bowler in my view. It's a loss for Pakistan and we hope he's fit soon," he added.

On Hasan Ali's return for the ODI World Cup despite not playing any ODI for Pakistan since June 2022, Inzamam said: "If you say Hasan Ali performing in the LPL, or other performances, he has performed better than most. He is an experienced bowler who has played big mega events for Pakistan and performed well in them. And when Naseem was ruled out, we needed someone who could bowl with the new ball. He bowls well with both old and new ball, and is a team man. His presence lends energy to the team."

Pakistan will play two warm-ups – against New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3 – before their tournament opener against the Netherlands on October 6.

Pakistan squad for ODI World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

Travelling reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris