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Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah's recent shoulder injury has cast doubts over his participation in the forthcoming World Cup, set to be held in India next month. The 20-year-old pacer suffered the injury during Pakistan's Super-4 clash against arch-rival India in an Asia Cup match in Sri Lanka. Shah walked off during the 46th over Indian innings after injuring the right shoulder muscle.
The Cricket World Cup 2023 is only a few weeks away and the teams are in the final stages of their preparation. For the Asian teams, the Asia Cup presented a brilliant opportunity to test the mettle and combination against the very best. However, for the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team the Asia Cup came as a dampener. First, they lost their rights to be the full hosts of the continental event. Then they finished last the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup after losses to India and Sri Lanka. Now, their star pacer Naseem Shah is likely to miss the Cricket World Cup for an injury that he suffered during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against India.
The Asia Cup's Super Four defeat against Bangladesh cost India a golden chance to rule the rankings charts across formats. Before the Asia Cup clash against Bangladesh on Friday, 15 September, India held the No.2 position on the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings with 116 rating points, just slightly trailing top-ranked Australia, who led with 118 points.
Kusal Mendis' 91 and an unbeaten 49 by Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka eliminate Pakistan with a two-wicket win in a last-ball thriller of the Asia Cup 2023. With the win, Sri Lanka set up a final clash with India while Babar Azam and company were left heartbroken. Chasing a DLS revised target of 252 in the 42-overs-a-side contest in Colombo, Sri Lanka needed eight from the final over and achieved the target with Asalanka's winning hit on the last ball.
Pakistan's hopes of clinching the Asia Cup 2023 title were crushed on Thursday as the Babar Azam-led side lost a must-win match against Sri Lanka. Opting to bat first, Pakistan posted 252/7 in 42 overs (due to rain) Mohammad Rizwan scoring an unbeaten 86. However, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka's fiery batting performance, took Sri Lanka across the line on the last ball of the match, with two wickets in hands. After the heartbreaking elimination, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi criticised their poor team selection.
The stage is set for the Asia Cup final as India square off against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. India are the most successful nation in Asia Cup history with seven triumphs, while Sri Lanka could match them with a win on Sunday, having won six titles. While fans eagerly waiting for an India vs Pakistan final, Sri Lanka spoiled the party by knocking out the Babar Azam-led side. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan took a dig at Pakistan, saying that the final against Sri Lanka won't be a one-sided affair.
Union Sports Minsters Anurag Thakur said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier decided a bilateral series of cricket between India and Pakistan wouldn't take place until Pakistan puts end to "terrorism" following the Anantnag encounter. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur while speaking to reporters said, "BCCI had decided much earlier that we would not play bilateral matches with Pakistan until they put an end to terrorism, cross-border attacks and infiltration. I think the sentiments of the country and of the public are also the same."
Former India batter Suresh Raina is confident of the Rohit Sharma-led side's chances of winning next month's ODI World Cup on home soil. Raina, who was part of the 2011 World Cup winning side, said if India make the final, it won't matter who they play. India haven't won an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, and having lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final earlier this year, Rohit and his team will aim to lift the coveted trophy on November 19 in Ahmedabad.