Massive blow for Pakistan as fast bowler Naseem Shah set to miss start of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023

Naseem Shah didn't play the Asia Cup 2023 Super Four clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Naseem Shah, the young fast bowler from Pakistan, is set to miss a few matches for his team at the start of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, which begins in India from October 5. The men in green team management is yet to make any official announcement, but skipper Babar Azam dropped a hint.

Naseem Shah played in the group stage matches of Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal and India and also appeared in the super 4s stage encounters against Bangladesh and India. But he complained of a shoulder niggle during India match, which stretched to two days, and didn’t come out to bat in his team’s 228-runs loss.

Not only Naseem, but Pakistan are fretting over the fitness of Haris Rauf as well, who complained of pain in his right plank and was rested from PAK vs SL encounter.

Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka in a must-win super 4s stage encounter and, as a result, they are knocked out of the race for the finals.

“I don't know how long the recovery is”- Babar Azam on injuries of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf   

Speaking during post-match after Pakistan's last-ball defeat and elimination from Asia Cup, Babar Azam talked about the injury concerns regarding Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. When asked what plans Pakistan had should Naseem and Rauf miss out, Babar was coy about backup plans but did expand on the prospects of both.

"I'll tell you later. I'm not telling you our Plan B now. But yes, Haris Rauf is not bad. He's just got a little bit of a side strain, but he's recovering before the World Cup. Naseem Shah also... they have a couple of missed matches; I don't know [how long] the recovery [is], but in my opinion, Naseem Shah also [will be] in the World Cup later on. But let's see," Babar told the presenter.

The extent of Naseem's injury has not yet been specified by the PCB. His muscle issue, which he appeared to incur when bowling at the end against India on Monday, is currently being examined by scans while he is in Dubai.

Rauf was unable to bowl that day due to a problem on his side, and Pakistan rested him in an effort to be extra cautious given the impending World Cup.