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Pakistan have officially revealed their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, scheduled to commence in India on October 5. The squad closely resembles the one that participated in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2023, with a notable change being the inclusion of Hasan Ali, who successfully secured his place after representing Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup. However, some of his teammates from the 2019 World Cup were unable to make the cut this time.
The 2019 global showpiece event witnessed the participation of some prominent Pakistani cricketers like Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim. Nevertheless, their performances in that tournament were a mixed bag, and several factors have contributed to their absence from the next World Cup.
Five Pakistani cricketers omitted from the 2023 ODI World Cup lineup
1. Sarfaraz Ahmed:
During the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Sarfaraz served as both the captain and wicketkeeper of the Pakistan team. In terms of batting, he had a decent run in the tournament, accumulating 143 runs in eight innings, with his highest score being an unbeaten 55 against Afghanistan. Nonetheless, it was Sarfaraz’s captaincy that came under scrutiny as Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals, ultimately finishing in fifth place.
Following the World Cup, Sarfaraz’s performance as both a player and captain saw a decline, and he eventually lost the captaincy of the team. His exclusion from the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup squad can be attributed to the team management’s desire for fresh leadership and a change in direction, especially after the disappointing performance in the previous World Cup.
2. Shoaib Malik:
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Malik, a seasoned campaigner for Pakistan, had a disappointing run with the bat. He managed to score just 8 runs in three innings and was unable to make a significant impact on the tournament. Malik’s struggles with form and performance during the World Cup might have played a role in his exclusion from the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup squad.
After Pakistan’s last game in the 2019 World Cup, which was against Bangladesh, Malik made the decision to retire from One Day International (ODI) cricket. Following his retirement from ODIs, Malik shifted his focus to T20I cricket, where he continued to represent Pakistan and remained an active player in the shortest format of the game.
3. Mohammad Hafeez:
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Hafeez put up a reasonably good performance for Pakistan. He contributed with the bat, scoring a total of 253 runs in eight matches at an average of 31.62. While his batting was consistent, one of the areas of concern was his strike rate, which was a bit on the lower side considering the modern demands of One-Day International (ODI) cricket.
Furthermore, Hafeez’s off-spin bowling, which had been a crucial part of Pakistan’s strategy in limited-overs cricket, wasn’t as effective as desired during the tournament. It’s worth noting that Hafeez decided to retire from all forms of cricket in 2022, which effectively ruled him out of consideration for selection in any format of the game, including ODIs
4. Haris Sohail:
Sohail was one of the standout performers for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup. He scored 198 runs in five games at an impressive average of 39.60, including a crucial century against South Africa. However, since then, injuries and inconsistent performances have hindered his progress, leading to his absence from the 2023 squad.
5. Imad Wasim:
Wasim had a reasonable 2019 World Cup, contributing both with the bat and ball. He scored 162 runs and took two wickets in six matches. Nevertheless, the emergence of younger all-round talents and perhaps a desire for a more balanced squad have resulted in his exclusion.
In summary, the exclusion of these players from the 2023 World Cup squad is a combination of factors, including performance fluctuations, age, emergence of new talent, and the team’s need for fresh faces and leadership. The selection process aims to strike a balance between experience and youth to build a competitive team for the upcoming tournament.
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Special Mention: Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf, Abid Ali
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup not only featured prominent players but also some names that went unnoticed due to their lack of game time. Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf and Abid Ali were part of the 2019 World Cup squad for Pakistan but couldn’t secure a single game in the tournament. Their absence from the 2023 World Cup squad is notable.
Junaid Khan:
Junaid was expected to be a key pace bowler for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup but was surprisingly left out of the playing XI throughout the tournament as he was surprisingly excluded from the squad after being initially named in it. Despite his experience and ability to swing the ball, he didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his skills. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been included in the 2023 squad either, marking a significant shift in team preferences.
Mohammad Hasnain:
A young and promising fast bowler, Hasnain, was considered a future star. Nonetheless, he remained on the bench throughout the 2019 World Cup. The decision to leave out Hasnain from both the 2019 and 2023 squads suggests that the team management may have had reservations about his readiness for such high-pressure events.
Faheem Ashraf:
Ashraf is a versatile all-rounder who was expected to provide a balance of batting and bowling in the 2019 World Cup. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to make an impact in the tournament.
In February 2022, Hasnain was suspended from bowling in international cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to an illegal bowling action. In June 2022, he was cleared to bowl following assements on his action. His exclusion from the 2023 squad could be attributed to a combination of competition for all-round spots and his inconsistent performances in recent times.
Abid Ali:
Abid, an opening batter, was part of the 2019 World Cup squad but didn’t get an opportunity to bat at the grand stage. Despite his domestic success, he hasn’t found a place in the 2023 squad, indicating a shift in the team’s opening combination preferences. Also n December 2021, while playing in a match in the 2021–22 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Abid complained of chest pains, and was taken to hospital. He was later diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. The following day, he underwent an angioplasty.
These players’ journeys from being part of the 2019 World Cup squad to being omitted from the 2023 squad highlight the evolving dynamics of team selection, competition for spots, and the need to adapt to changing strategies and player preferences in international cricket.
