Pakistan Cricket has suffered a big blow ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Naseem Shah is likely to miss the entire tournament as scans have revealed that he has an injury on his right shoulder that has gotten worse than it initially was. According to a report from ESPNcricinfo, the fast bowler wants to seek a second opinion but scans from Dubai show that he could be out for the rest of the year.
If it is true and the results get confirmed then Naseem Shah would miss the upcoming Test series against Australia and also the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2024. The India-Pakistan Super Four game in the Asia Cup had to go into the reserve day as the actual day 10 September was interrupted due to rain. On the reserve day, Shah sustained an injury to a muscle just below his bowling shoulder.
Naseem Shah has taken 32 wickets in 14 matches in ODIs
When it comes to ODIs the Pakistan pacer has taken 32 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 16.96 and at an economy rate of 4.68. He has a strike rate of 21.7 and has taken two five-wicket hauls in the ODI format. Naseem has been bowling in all three formats for Pakistan for quite some time. Shah has been a find for Pakistan Cricket. He has formed a great paring with Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi.
Zaman Khan came in as a replacement for him in the Asia Cup. Mohammad Hasnain who has also been around the circuit for some time has been injured. The Men in Green have been playing continuous cricket for quite some time now. Pakistan played an ODI series against New Zealand at home.
Then they played a Test series against Sri Lanka. After that, most of the first-rate players have played in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Then they had a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan which was played in Sri Lanka. The Men in Green would be looking to win their second ODI World Cup in familiar conditions that are very similar back home.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Urvashi aunty is getting depressed! pic.twitter.com/VnSnZbKIW4
— 🇮🇳ꪜ𝐢𝐧𝐨⁹⁶🚩 (@vinoo_96) September 16, 2023
I think he had a talk with Bumrah on how to get injured just before big tournaments..
— Ansh Girdhar (@AnshGirdhar7) September 16, 2023
Pakistan out of worldcup next pic.twitter.com/4rONHyvoY4
— Sam👨🎤 (@beingsalkatty) September 16, 2023
Naseem Shah to pakistan 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/VLYi6CY9hr
— @rashid.khan (@MohdRas81895379) September 16, 2023
Now who will save pakistan from Afghanistan humiliation 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/3IJu1LfTl4
— ` (@ImViaan) September 16, 2023
The only bowler who looked quite dangerous is out of WC, such a shame.. fast bowlers needs to be very careful with their fitness n injuries. We have seen how it can effect players like Archer n Bumrah. It’s good Naseem is still young, can play many more WCs.
— ಶಾಹಾಬಾಜ್ – Shahbaz (@bhai_lander) September 16, 2023
Babar’s reaction rn: pic.twitter.com/oG2ukwzpIt
— Aditya Mohite (@aditya_mohite25) September 16, 2023
Hey ‘Maa’ Mataji’ got real. pic.twitter.com/nelA6oupca
— Mehwish (@MyWishIsUs) September 16, 2023
Pakistan be like pic.twitter.com/5nfUaWtRLy
— Ravi.. (@aryaMravi) September 16, 2023
Pakistan ke. pic.twitter.com/xB33EuY74o
— Arnav Shukla. (@Akshay_Brigade) September 16, 2023