The cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation as Pakistan’s cricket fans eagerly await the announcement of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to reveal the lineup, leaving fans and former players curious about potential changes from the Asia Cup 2023.
Adding to the intrigue, Muhammad Wasim, the former chief selector who served in that capacity from 2021 to 2022, recently posted a cryptic message on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). This enigmatic post has ignited a spirited debate among netizens, with many speculating that Wasim may have taken a dig at the squad selection process.
The performance of the Pakistan cricket team in the Asia Cup 2023 has raised concerns, making it a challenging task for the selectors to finalize a 15-man squad for the highly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Several players displayed subpar performances, which has created difficulties for Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and Captain Babar Azam, both of whom now believe that squad changes are necessary.
While the two are busy finalizing the squad for the mega event, Team Director Mickey Arthur remains engrossed in county cricket in England and is conspicuously absent from the current selection process.
The cases of Mohammad Haris, Wasim Junior, Usama Mir, and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have weakened following the team’s lackluster performance in the Asian event. Meanwhile, the selection panel is deliberating over the inclusion of Hasan Ali and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Interestingly, despite being out of form for an extended period, vice-captain Shadab Khan and left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman seem to have secured their places in the World Cup squad, despite concerns about their recent performances.
It’s worth noting that Pakistan faced an early exit from the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 after consecutive losses to India and Sri Lanka in the Super 4 stage of the tournament. As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the announcement of the World Cup squad, the cryptic message from Muhammad Wasim continues to fuel speculation and debate among fans and experts alike.
