Pakistan ICC World Cup 2023 Squad: Babar Azam To Lead Side; Hasan Ali Replaces Injured Naseem Shah

Pakistan on Friday (September 22) announced their provisional 18-member squad led by Babar Azam for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India, scheduled to start on October 5.

Despite reports of Shadab Khan likely to be axed from vice captaincy following Pakistan's disappointing performance in the bygone Asia Cup 2023, the all-rounder has been named the deputy to skipper Babar.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector revealed the squad that included travelling reserves during a press conference. Most of the players from the Asia Cup squad retained their places except for Injured pacer Naseem Shah.

In a surprise call up, experienced pacer Hasan Ali was named in the squad as the replacement for Naseem with Zaman Khan, who played in the Asian Cup match against Sri Lanka, only finding a place among the travelling reserves along with spinner Abrar Ahmed and wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris.

Mohammad Rizwan is the only specialist wicketkeeping option named in the 15 member squad, while Haris Rauf, who also missed the final two matches of Asia Cup due to side strain, has recovered and being named in the squad for the show-piece event.

The other pace option that will be spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi is Mohammad Wasim Junior. Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir are the spin options alongside vice captain Shadab. Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Abdullah Shafeeq complete the Pakistan squad for the World Cup.

Pakistan ICC World Cup 2023 Squad

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice captain), Fakhar Zaman, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jnr. Travelling Reserves: Mohammad Haris, Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed.

Pakistan will open their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign against Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 6 followed by their second match at the same venue against Sri Lanka on October 10 before the high-voltage clash against India in Ahmedabad on October 14.