Pakistan landed a huge blow when the young pacer Naseem Shah had to leave the field in the crucial Super Four stage Asia Cup 2023 match against India without completing his quota of 10 overs. It was later unveiled that Naseem had complained of a shoulder injury. As a result, he was ruled out of the tournament.
Sri Lanka then knocked out Pakistan in a thrilling encounter, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the final of the tournament. During the post-match press conference, captain Babar Azam hinted that Naseem Shah might not recover in time to take part in Pakistan’s opening games at the World Cup in India. Notably, Pakistan will play the Netherlands in the ODI World Cup 2023, on October 6, in Hyderabad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to give any further update about Naseem’s injury as the pacer is in Dubai, for scans for the muscle injury below his right shoulder. Naseem, 20, has had injury issues in the early stages of his career. A back injury he sustained one year into his international career when he was 17 years old. The injury kept him out of action for 14 months. In the same vein, Pakistan will have to fall back on their bench strength to find an able replacement for Naseem Shah for the initial phase of the ODI World Cup.
Here are the 3 players who can replace Naseem Shah for Pakistan’s initial ODI World Cup matches:
3. Shahnawaz Dahani
Shahnawaz Dahani. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Shahnawaz Dahani had to fly down from Pakistan to Sri Lanka at short notice for the Asia Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14. He came in as a backup for Haris Rauf, who picked up an injury during the team’s Super Four encounter against India. But his stay turned out to be short-lived as the Men in Green were knocked out of the tournament on the same day.
The right-arm pacer from Larkana has played 2 ODIs and 11 T20Is for Pakistan since making his debut against Bangladesh in 2021. He has 8 T20I wickets and 1 ODI wicket to his name. Known for his height and slingy action was the highest wicket-taker in PSL 2021. However
, the rise of Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket has put Shahnawaz Dahani on the back burner.
But Dahani can be a good choice for Babar Azam and co. as he seems to have a knack for picking up wickets. Hence he can be a decent backup for Naseem till the time the young pacer gets fits for big matches. The key reason for him being a slingy-action bowler which adds another variety of pace bowling to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.
2. Zaman Khan
Zaman Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Zaman Khan made quite an impression on his ODI debut in Pakistan’s two-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2023. While he didn’t pick any wickets, he bowled with a big heart. He was given the task of defending nine runs in the last over, but Charith Asalanka proved too much for him.
The 22-year-old made his T20 debut at the National T20 Cup two years ago. However, his claim to fame came in the following year’s Pakistan Super League. In the PSL tournament, he built a name for himself as an express speed bowler with a slingy bowling action. Even in the PSL 2023, Zaman Khan ended up with 15 wickets to his name.
If Pakistan is looking for a bowler who will disturb the batter’s rhythm and concentration, Zaman Khan can be one of the apt options to be a backup for Naseem Shah. Speed-wise as well, Khan can crank it up to 145 kph at will. He has a reputation as a lethal death-over-yorker bowler and can keep other teams at bay.
1. Mohammad Wasim Jr
Mohammad Wasim Jr. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Mohammad Wasim Jr. has quite a bit of experience with Pakistan cricket, having played 2 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 27 T20I matches since making his debut in 2021. Wasim had managed to pick 2 Test, 24 ODI, and 35 T20I wickets with a very impressive average and economy in the 50-over format. Recently, the pacer was in action against Sri Lanka in the crunch Asia Cup 2023 match.
Mohammad Wasim Jr. is seen as an all-rounder with his ability to bowl at good speeds of around 140kph. His captains have employed Wasim Jr to bowl in death overs as he can bowl impressive yorkers which not many batters can dig out or counter. Moreover, the pacer also brings the ability to hang around with the bat when the established batter needs some company. Or he can use the long handle to add much-needed runs.