The Pakistan Cricket Team has been under intense scrutiny since the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2023. Their fortunes took a downturn after suffering a significant 228-run defeat to India during the Super Four stage, followed by a loss to Sri Lanka that led to their elimination from the tournament.
Reports indicate a strained atmosphere within the dressing room, with rumors of discord among players. Skipper Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi were reportedly involved in a heated exchange following the team’s elimination from the Asia Cup. To compound their woes, injury concerns have plagued the team.
Premier pacer Haris Rauf is nursing an injury, and Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023. Adding to the complications, Shadab Khan’s performance has come under scrutiny, raising the possibility of him being removed from the vice-captaincy role and even dropped from the squad for the World Cup. In his place, Shaheen Afridi is a likely candidate for the vice-captain position.
Also read: Shocking Change in Pakistan World Cup Squad: No Shadab, Naseem, Fakhar
There are reports suggesting that Pakistan is considering the recall of Hasan Ali into the team for the ICC World Cup. Hasan Ali, who has been absent from the setup for a while, may find an opportunity due to Naseem Shah’s injury. However, it appears that Imad Wasim is not in contention. On the other hand, Saud Shakeel is highly likely to be part of the squad for the ICC major event in India.