Major setback for Pakistan as their star pacer can be ruled out of entire ODI World Cup 2023

Pakistan played the last match of the 2023 Asia Cup without two of their biggest bowling weapons. The right-arm pace duo of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf were ruled out of the match against Sri Lanka. As a result, Pakistan could not field their best playing XI against Sri Lanka. In the process, Pakistan could not perform to their best potential and lost the match by 2 wickets. 

Before the match, Shaheen Afridi was said to be not completely fit. But the left-arm pacer played the match against Sri Lanka. But a major setback can happen for Pakistan cricket, as their star pacer can get ruled out of the entire 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Naseem Shah, one of the premier fast bowlers in the world, can miss the entire tournament due to his injury.  

The 20-year-old pacer from Pakistan sustained a shoulder injury during the match against Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage of the 2023 Asia Cup. After the match, Shah was ruled out of the match against Sri Lanka. The Pakistani pacer underwent scans in Dubai. The reports are not so promising. There are chances that the promising pacer can miss the entire ODI World Cup. 

Naseem Shah’s shoulder injury is more serious than expected

To save a boundary during the match against Bangladesh, Naseem injured his shoulder. Though the pacer bowled against India on the first day, he did not bowl on the reserve day against India. The reports suggest that the Pakistan Cricket Board is looking for the replacements. The reports of the scan suggest that Naseem might miss playing cricket for months altogether. 

It means that the talented pacer might not just miss the ODI World Cup, but also the Test series against Australia in early 2024 and the Pakistan Super League. The injury of Naseem has turned out to be worse than expected. Naseem has affected a muscle just below his shoulder. Haris Rauf suffered an injury against India, which kept him out of the Asia Cup 2023. The two injuries can hamper Pakistan’s chances in the 2023 ODI World Cup.