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Xtra Time Web Desk: Inzamam ul Haq led Pakistan selection committee has named experienced pacer Hasan Ali as a replacement for Naseem Shah in the 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday.  Naseem injured himself during the recent Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 game against India at the R Premadasa stadium. Pakistan selectors have also included Zaman Khan in the World Cup squad.

Naseem’s absence will be a huge blow for the Men in Green. He has an exceptional ODI record, with 32 wickets at an average of 16.96 with two five-fer in ODI cricket.

Pakistan’s pace attack will have Shaheen Shah Afridi along with Haris Rauf, Mohammed Waseem and Hasan Ali. The squad is also equipped with two spin-bowling all-rounders in Shadab Khan and Mohammed Nawaz. Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed are also available as spin-bowling all-rounders. Usama Mir is another leg-spin option available to the Pakistan side should the need arise. 

As far as batting unit is concerned, Babar Azam will lead along with Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Mohammed Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Salman Agha. Also in the mix are the young duo of Mohammed Haris and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel.

Pakistan will play two warm-up games, against New Zealand and Australia respectively, in the lead up to the Cricket World Cup. They begin their tournament journey against Netherlands on 6 October in Hyderabad. 

Pakistan squad for the upcoming World Cup 2023: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim