Pakistan announce squad for ICC World Cup 2023
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on September 22, 2023 announced an updated 15-man squad for the ICC World Cup 2023 in India. The squad features a mix of experienced and young players, and is led by Babar Azam, who will be captaining Pakistan in a World Cup for the first time.
The updated squad is as follows:
- Babar Azam (c)
- Shadab Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Abdullah Shafique
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Saud Shakeel
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Salman Ali Agha
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Usama Mir
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Shaheen Afridi
Highlights
The batting lineup is led by Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who are both world-class batsmen. They are supported by a strong middle order that includes Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, and Saud Shakeel. Fakhar Zaman, who has had a disappointing run of form in recent months, is likely to open the batting with Azam.
The wicketkeeping duties will be handled by Rizwan.
The all-rounder department is headed by Shadab Khan, who is one of the best all-rounders in the world. He is joined by Mohammad Nawaz, who provides both batting and bowling depth.
The bowling attack is led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who are both experienced bowlers who can bowl at speeds of over 140 kph. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim provide additional depth to the bowling attack. Usama Mir is the lone spinner in the squad, but he is a world-class bowler who can be very effective in Indian conditions.
Pakistan’s ICC Cricket World Cup titles
Here is a list of Pakistan’s ICC Cricket world cup titles in ODI format so far.
| Year | Caption | Location | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Pakistan beat England by 22 runs in the final | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia | Imran Khan |
Pakistan’s Full Schedule of ICC World Cup 2023
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 6, 2023 | Pakistan vs Netherlands | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad |
| October 12, 2023 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad |
| October 15, 2023 | India vs Pakistan | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| October 20, 2023 | Pakistan vs Australia | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| October 23, 2023 | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| October 27, 2023 | Pakistan vs South Africa | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| October 31, 2023 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| November 4, 2023 | Pakistan vs New Zealand | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| November 11, 2023 | Pakistan vs England | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
Analysis
The updated Pakistan squad looks very strong on paper.
The batting team has both experienced and young players, making it strong and balanced. The all-rounder department is also very strong, with Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz providing both batting and bowling depth. The bowling attack is led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who are two of the best bowlers in the world. They are supported by Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim, who are both experienced bowlers.
One potential concern is the form of Fakhar Zaman. His recent performance has been challenging, and it remains uncertain if he can regain his form before the World Cup.. However, there are plenty of options available to the team management if Zaman does not perform. Overall, the Pakistan squad is very well-balanced and has a good chance of winning the World Cup in 2023.