On September 22, 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its 18-member squad for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The announcement was made by Chief Selector Inzamamul Haq during a press conference.
The squad includes Babar Azam as captain, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan as wicketkeeper, M Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usama Mir. The reserves include Mohammad Haris, Zaman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed.
Inzamam expressed his confidence in the team’s potential to bring the World Cup trophy to Pakistan and make the nation proud with their outstanding performances. He urged the nation to rally behind the team and offer them the support they need.
During the announcement, Inzamam also shared updates on the players’ health. He regretfully announced that an injury to Naseem Shah had forced a change in the lineup. However, he reassured everyone that despite some injury concerns during the Asia Cup, all players are now in excellent physical condition and eager to represent their country in this crucial tournament.
He also provided a positive update on Haris Rauf’s recovery, mentioning that he has begun shadow bowling at the National Cricket Academy and will be eligible for selection.
The ICC World Cup 2023 will be held in India, featuring 10 teams competing for the coveted title across 10 venues from October 5 to November 19. The tournament will kick off and conclude at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The format will be round-robin, with each team playing all the others in 45 league matches. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for November 15 in Mumbai and November 16 in Kolkata, with reserve days allocated for the semi-finals and the final.
