Pakistan is facing a dilemma in selecting its World Cup 2023 squad, with the possibility of including Hassan Ali and Abrar Ahmed while grappling with the uncertainty surrounding Shadab Khan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently in the final stages of selecting the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC tournament set to take place in India next month.
The team’s early exit from the Asia Cup 2023 has prompted a thorough evaluation of potential team combinations.
The team management, led by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam, is contemplating adjustments to the initial 15-member squad for this high-profile event.
Sources suggest that, given the team’s recent performance, the prospects of Mohammad Haris, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Faheem Asraf making it to the World Cup squad appear dim.
In the meantime, it appears that Hassan Ali and right-arm leg-break spinner Abrar Ahmed are strong contenders for inclusion in the 15-member squad.
Additionally, despite concerns surrounding the form of opener Fakhar Zaman and vice-captain Shadab Khan, both players are likely to secure spots on the World Cup team.
The potential 15-member squad for the World Cup could resemble the following: Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdulla Shafiq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan.