Pakistan Get Rude Shock Ahead Of Cricket World Cup 2023, Star Pacer May Be Ruled Out Of Marquee Event: Report

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.

According to a report in the ESPN Cricinfo, scans on the fast bowler's right shoulder have indicated that he may not be fit in time for the Cricket World Cup. The report further added that if the secondary scan results is similar to the initial scan, then Naseem will be on a length injury-induced break.

Naseem had walked off the field in the 46th over in the Super 4 game against India. He did not come out out bat.

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.

Afridi lashed out at Pakistan's management for not experimenting with their line-up and not benching players Shadab Khan, who are unable to deliver