Pakistan’s Naseem Shah faces a bleak outlook for his participation in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to commence in India next month. A persistent shoulder injury threatens to sideline the promising pacer, potentially extending his absence until next year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Initial reports underestimated the severity of Shah’s right shoulder injury, but recent scans conducted in Dubai have unveiled a graver condition. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is currently seeking a second medical opinion to confirm the diagnosis, but indications are that Shah may be sidelined for the remainder of the year.
If these secondary scans corroborate the initial findings, the 20-year-old bowler is facing a lengthy period of inactivity. This jeopardizes his participation in the Test series against Australia at the turn of the year and casts serious doubts over his involvement in the upcoming Pakistan Super League.
Naseem Shah’s injury initially occurred during Pakistan’s second game against India at the Asia Cup. He was forced to exit the field during the reserve day designated for that match. Subsequently, the PCB issued a statement officially ruling him out for the rest of the tournament.
It’s worth noting that Shah’s injury pertains to a muscle just below his bowling shoulder and is not a recurrence of any previous shoulder issues. Zaman Khan, who deputized for Shah during the Asia Cup, might be summoned to the World Cup squad if necessary.
The final decision on Shah’s participation in the ICC World Cup 2023 hinges on the results of his forthcoming secondary scans, which are expected in the coming days.
The 2023 ICC World Cup is set to unfold in India, featuring ten teams vying for the coveted title across ten different venues. The tournament, spanning from October 5 to November 19, will kick off and conclude at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This edition of the Cricket World Cup adopts a round-robin format, where all teams will compete against each other in 45 league matches. The top four teams will progress to the semifinals, slated for November 15 in Mumbai and November 16 in Kolkata, with reserve days allocated for these knockout fixtures.
As per tournament regulations, all participating teams must finalize their 15-player squads by September 28. Any subsequent replacements require approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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