The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to announce the final squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup tomorrow, September 21st. The squad is expected to be slightly different from the one that competed in the recently concluded Asia Cup, with a few key changes likely.
Possible Changes to the Squad
One of the biggest changes to the squad could be the inclusion of spinner Abrar Ahmed. Ahmed has been in impressive form in recent months, and he could provide Pakistan with a much-needed boost in their spin attack.
Another possible change is the return of batsman Fakhar Zaman. Zaman was dropped from the Asia Cup squad after a poor run of form, but he has been in good form in domestic cricket since then.
Pakistan may also be tempted to recall fast bowler Hasan Ali. Ali has been out of action with an injury for most of the year, but he is now back to full fitness. He could provide Pakistan with an experienced option in their pace attack.
Factors to Consider
When selecting the World Cup squad, the selectors will have to take into account a number of factors, including:
- Form: The selectors will want to pick players who are in good form. This includes both batsmen and bowlers.
- Experience: The World Cup is a big tournament, and the selectors will want to pick players who have experience of playing in big matches.
- Balance: The selectors will need to pick a squad that has a good balance of batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders.
Players to Watch
Here are a few players to watch out for when the World Cup squad is announced:
- Babar Azam: Azam is Pakistan’s captain and best batsman. He will be key to Pakistan’s success in the World Cup.
- Mohammad Rizwan: Rizwan is Pakistan’s wicket-keeper batsman. He is in excellent form and is one of the best wicket-keepers in the world.
- Shaheen Afridi: Afridi is Pakistan’s lead pacer.
- Haris Rauf: Rauf is another talented fast bowler. He is known for his pace and accuracy.
- Abrar Ahmed: Ahmed is a leg-spinner. He has been in impressive form in recent months and could be a key player for Pakistan in the World Cup.
The selectors will also have to consider the fitness of a few players who are currently injured, such as Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.
The World Cup squad will be announced on September 21st, and the tournament will begin on October 16. Pakistan will be looking to win their third World Cup title in 2023.
Possible Changes to the Squad
The article mentions three possible changes to the squad:
- The inclusion of spinner Abrar Ahmed: Ahmed has been in impressive form in recent months. And he could provide Pakistan with a much-needed boost in their spin attack.
- The return of batsman Fakhar Zaman: Zaman was dropped from the Asia Cup squad after a poor run of form. But he has been in good form in domestic cricket since then.
- The recall of fast bowler Hasan Ali: Ali has been out of action with an injury for most of the year, but he is now back to full fitness. He could provide Pakistan with an experienced option in their pace attack.
Conclusion
Pakistan is one of the favorites to win the 2023 ODI World Cup. They have a strong team with a good mix of experience and youth. The selectors will have a tough job picking the final squad, but they are sure to select a team that is capable of winning the tournament.
