Pakistan were one of the contenders to win the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2023 but they flattered to deceive, losing to India and Sri Lanka in back-to-back matches to finish at the bottom in the Super Four stage. On Thursday, September 21, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s management committee chief, Zaka Ashraf, called for a meeting to analyse the dismal performance of the ‘Men in Green’ in the six-team tournament. Captain Babar Azam, and his deputy, Shadab Khan, were present alongside members of the coaching staff.
After the meeting, PCB released a statement where Ashraf held the previous committee responsible for allowing the cricketers to play in leagues around the world and causing them to be fatigued ahead of national duty. The 71-year-old said in the statement that PCB would look to manage the workloads of the players in a better way in the future. In the statement, it was also mentioned that former Pakistan captain and current chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq linked up on Thursday afternoon with Ashraf and discussed the squad for the impending ODI World Cup, commencing next month. The elegant right-handed batter has finalised 15 players for the marquee event and it will be revealed on Friday, September 22 at 11.45 AM (IST) at Level 2, Far-End Building of Gaddafi Stadium in a press conference.
“Inzamam ul Haq, chief selector, who couldn’t make into the meeting yesterday due to a medical emergency but met Zaka Ashraf on Thursday afternoon to share his input. After the completion of the review, Inzamam has finalised the Pakistan squad for the ICC World Cup, which will be announced on Friday morning in a press conference scheduled to take place at 11:15 am at Level 2, Far-End Building of Gaddafi Stadium,” the statement from the PCB noted.
Pakistan will start their ODI World Cup campaign against The Netherlands on October 6
Pakistan will begin their campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 with a match against qualifiers Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, October 6. Besides, the high-voltage India versus Pakistan clash will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, on October 14.
