‘Naseem will be out for a longer time than…’ – Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq gives injury updates of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf

The Pakistan cricket board recently announced Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the ODI World Cup, 2023, which will be held in India. Pakistan’s former cricketer and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq addressed the media while announcing the squad and talked about the injury updates of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, who got injured during the Asia Cup 2023. 

As speculated before, Naseem Shah will miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to an injury, which he got during the team’s match against India on the reserve day of the Asia Cup 2023. Inzamam-Ul-Haq believes Naseem Shah will take some more time after the ODI World Cup to recover.  He also invited all door players performing well in domestic cricket to strengthen the team’s first-class cricket.

Inzamam-ul-Haq on Pakistan’s squad for ODI World Cup, 2023

“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”, said Inzamam-ul-Haq. 

“We were forced to make one change because of an unfortunate injury to Naseem Shah. We had a few injury scares in the recent Asia Cup, but I am glad to share that all the players are fully fit and are eager to perform for their country in the all-important tournament.

While talking about Haris Rauf’s injury, he said, “I have received encouraging reports from our medical panel about Haris Rauf. He has started to (shadow) bowl at the National Cricket Academy and will be available for selection.” 

“Although I am the selector, I haven’t closed the doors on anyone. All these are good players. But we have made sure this time that the performances in domestic cricket in Pakistan will also hold value. It will help our first-class cricket get better as well. So the doors are never closed on anyone. If they perform in domestic cricket here and if Pakistan needs, they will be back in the squad and this is true for everyone”, said Inzamam-ul-Haq.

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

Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris