In a recent development, 20-year-old Pakistani fast bowler Naseem Shah has successfully undergone shoulder surgery. Shah unfortunately, had to miss the World Cup 2023 on Indian soil after dislocating his shoulder during the Asian Cup 2023 Super Four match against India at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The incident occurred in the 46th over of the match against Rohit Sharma’s team, forcing Naseem to leave the field due to discomfort in his shoulder. Following the surgery, Naseem shared a video from his recovery bed, his right shoulder heavily strapped. In the caption, he expressed gratitude, saying, “Alhamdulillah, I’m recovering well. Your prayers and well wishes have been my strength. Thank you all for your support.”
With Naseem out of the World Cup lineup, Pakistan brought back Hasan Ali, who has played less than 10 ODIs for the Men in Green since the World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. The team, led by Babar Azam, now faces the decision of choosing between Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr as their third seam-bowling option alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who are the first-choice pacers.
Naseem Shah has been a key player for Pakistan in ODIs, boasting 32 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 4.68. His impressive record includes two five-wicket hauls, showcasing his ability to swing the ball both ways and perform as a reliable death bowler under pressure.
As Pakistan gears up for their opening match in the World Cup 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, October 5, the team faced setbacks in their warm-up matches, losing to both New Zealand and Australia. The absence of Naseem Shah adds an extra layer of challenge, making the selection of the third seam-bowling option a critical decision for the team.