Things are finally getting clear as the Cricket World Cup is getting near. PCB has updated in the press conference about the situation with Naseem Shah. The young fast bowler got injured in the Asia Cup match against India. Pakistan withdrew him from the team ahead of their match against Sri Lanka. Young Zaman Khan made a debut, replacing him from the team. Now, PCB has officially given its stance on Naseem Shah.
Check: Will Naseem Shah play in the Cricket World Cup?
Naseem Shah injured his shoulder, and the doctors have advised him to undergo surgery to recover from this injury. This surgery will take Naseem Shah out of the scene for 3-4 months. In this absence, the board has selected Hasan Ali as his replacement.
Check: Pakistan Squad for ICC World Cup 2023 [Announced]
The selection committee chose Hasan as a replacement for Naseem Shah. All of the other potential replacements were injured. Hence, Hasan Ali was the only choice.
Parting thoughts
Naseem Shah is among many international cricketers ruled out of the World Cup this year. It seems like the injuries have taken over the tournament this year.
Here is the list of all the players who got injured ahead of the World Cup.
| Player Name | Injury Description | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Haris Rauf | Side Strain | Pakistan |
| Imam ul Haq | Back spasm | Pakistan |
| Adil Rashid | Cramps | England |
| Mark Wood | Sore heel | England |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Hamstring | Sri Lanka |
| Tamim Iqbal | Hip | Bangladesh |
| Temba Bavuma | Inner thigh muscle strain | South Africa |
| Pat Cummins | Fractured wrist | Australia |
| Steve Smith | Wrist tendon | Australia |
| Mitchell Starc | Groin | Australia |
| Glenn Maxwell | Ankle | Australia |
| Ashton Agar | Calf | Australia |
| Maheesh Theekshana | Hamstring injury | Sri Lanka |
| Dushmantha Chameera | Shoulder injury | Sri Lanka |
| Dilshan Madushanka | Oblique muscle | Sri Lanka |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | Hamstring | Bangladesh |
| Tim Southee | Fractured right thumb | New Zealand |
| Darly Mitchell | Dislocated ring finger | New Zealand |
| Kane Williamson | ACL injury | New Zealand |
| Anrich Nortje | Back injury, to undergo a fitness test | South Africa |
| Sisanda Magala | Left knee, to experience a fitness test | South Africa |
| Shreyas Iyer | A stress fracture in the back | India |
| Axar Patel | Multiple hits to finger, forearm, and hamstring | India |
| Travis Head | Left-hand fracture | Australia |