Injured Naseem Shah in doubt for 2023 ODI World Cup

In bad news for Pakistan cricket, the side’s star pacer Naseem will likely miss the entirety of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 due to his shoulder injury. The scans on his shoulder turned out to be worse than anticipated, but there is hope as the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) is seeking a second opinion.

However, if the second scan produces similar results as the first one, Naseem Shah could be set for a big hiatus from playing. The 20-year-old could miss the Test series against Australia in January 2024 and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 as well.

Naseem injured his shoulder while playing against India when Pakistan took them on in the Super Four stage game of the tournament. 

If Naseem’s injury is as severe as suspected, it could be a massive blow for Pakistan. Being just 20 years old, Naseem is already one of the spearheads of Pakistan’s bowling attack. The star pacer has played exactly 50 matches for Pakistan across formats and has taken 98 wickets across the three formats. 

At such a young age, Naseem has showcased his class and resilience and is undoubtedly one of the most significant prospects in Pakistan’s current lineup, and his absence could hurt them in the long run. 

Speaking of Pakistan’s recent performances, the side failed to go all the way in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 as Sri Lanka eliminated them in the virtual semi-final of the tournament in the Super Four stage. 

After defeating them, Sri Lanka made it to the final and will look to defend their title against team India in the summit clash on Sunday, September 17.