Pakistan’s ODI World Cup Squad has undergone some last-minute changes, and the spotlight falls on fast bowler Hasan Ali. Hasan has been called up to replace the injured Naseem Shah, who faces an extended period on the sidelines due to his injury.

Including Hasan Ali is not just a mere substitution; it’s a strategic move to bolster Pakistan’s pace attack. Hasan, a seasoned fast bowler, brings experience and firepower to the squad. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace has been a valuable asset for Pakistan.

PCB also introduced an extra leg spinner in Usama Mir. While Mir made his ODI debut earlier this year against New Zealand, he was not part of the Asia Cup squad. This addition adds a spin dimension to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.

With Hasan Ali’s return, Pakistan’s pace attack looks formidable. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr complete the quartet of pace bowlers. Their combined skills promise to be a handful for any batting lineup in the World Cup.

Naseem Shah’s absence significantly blows Pakistan’s World Cup aspirations. His injury has forced him into a lengthy layoff, casting a shadow over his participation in the marquee event. The team will undoubtedly miss his pace and ability to trouble batsmen.

The road to the World Cup has been rocky for Pakistan, and their disappointing performance in the Asia Cup only added to their concerns. They finished at the bottom of the Super Four group, suffering defeats to India and Sri Lanka. This setback prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reevaluate their squad and strategy.

Behind closed doors, chairman Zaka Ashraf, captain Babar Azam, vice-captain Shadab, and key technical committee members, including Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez, held extensive discussions. Head coach Grant Bradburn and bowling coach Morne Morkel were also part of these deliberations. While the specifics of these talks remain undisclosed, it’s clear that Pakistan’s squad announcement was subject to intense scrutiny and speculation.

Adding to the intrigue, Mohammad Hafeez, a part of the PCB’s technical committee, made a surprising decision to resign on the eve of the squad release. This unexpected move raised questions about the timing and nature of Pakistan’s squad announcement.

Despite these challenges, Pakistan remains the No. 1 ranked ODI side, and they are determined to showcase their cricketing prowess on the grand stage. As they prepare for the World Cup, Pakistan faces a crucial warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29, followed by another against Australia on October 3. Their World Cup journey begins on October 6 with a clash against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.

The stage is set, and Pakistan’s cricketing fate now rests on a talented and resilient squad gearing up for the ultimate challenge in the ODI World Cup.

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

Reserves: Mohammad Haris, Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed

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