One of Pakistan’s most important bowlers appears iffy for the World Cup, dealing a severe blow to the team. Due to a severe shoulder injury, Naseem Shah, the backbone of their assault, may not be able to play in the full competition, which runs from October 5 to November 19. There is scepticism even with partial participation.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical team has been monitoring the status of Naseem Shah’s shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup 2023,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement. Expert medical consultations are in progress to ensure Naseem receives the finest care possible. Based on additional evaluations, the PCB medical panel will determine when the fast bowler can resume playing cricket.”
Doubts concerning his availability surfaced two days following Babar Azam’s team’s Asia Cup elimination. In the pivotal Super 4 match against Sri Lanka, the right-arm bowler was not present. The match ended in a thrilling final-ball drama for Pakistan, and Naseem’s absence was felt deeply.
JUST IN: Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the remainder of #AsiaCup2023 with a shoulder injury – Pakistan have called up Zaman Khan as his replacement 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/GShL8iV8v3
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 13, 2023
PCB representatives have informed that the UK will receive his reports for guidance. Although the administration of the team will take appropriate action, it now appears unlikely that he will play in the World Cup. Naseem has participated in 17 Tests, 14 ODIs, and 19 T20Is in his young career.
Officials from the PCB are optimistic that Haris Rauf, who missed the match against Sri Lanka as well, will be fit for the World Cup. He merely felt pain in his rib cage, which required him to take a break from the crucial game on September 14, according to the officials, who say he is not injured in the traditional sense.
The PCB will also evaluate the Asia Cup team’s performance. Although the team was favoured going into the tournament, they were not successful. The meeting is scheduled for Monday and will be attended by selector Mohammad Hafeez, president of the cricket committee Misbah-ul-Haq, and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq. According to speculations in the local media, the PCB may decide to let its players participate in just one international T20 league—aside from the PSL, of course—in order to make sure they stay healthy.
On September 25, the Pakistani team will depart for India via Dubai, arriving in Hyderabad two days later. On October 6, they will play against the Netherlands in their opening game. On October 14, their much-awaited encounter with India will take place in Ahmedabad.
FAQs
Q : How did Naseem Shah get injured?
A :The 20-year-old bowler was hurt during Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super 4 match against bitter foe India. Shah injured his right shoulder muscle and left the pitch in the 46th over of the Indian innings.
QÂ :Â Is Naseem Shah ruled out of the World Cup?
A : Less than three weeks before the ODI World Cup in India kicked off, Pakistan was dealt a nightmare when fast bowler Naseem Shah was virtually certain to miss the competition due to a shoulder injury he had sustained during an Asia Cup match.