The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an important update regarding the shoulder injury that young pacer Naseem Shah suffered during a high-stakes clash against India at the 2023 Asia Cup.
Initial reports from ESPNcricinfo hinted that the 20-year-old might have to sit out the entire ICC World Cup 2023, scheduled to kick off in India next month, due to this troublesome shoulder injury.
However, it appears that Naseem Shah’s shoulder ailment is more severe than initially anticipated. There are concerns that he may remain sidelined until next year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In an official statement, the PCB stated,
“The Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical team has been closely monitoring Naseem Shah’s shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup 2023. Expert medical consultations are currently underway to ensure Naseem receives the best possible care.”
“The PCB medical panel will determine the fast bowler’s return to the cricketing arena based on further assessments,” the statement continued.
The unfortunate incident occurred during the 46th over of Pakistan’s game against India at the Asia Cup last week when Naseem Shah left the field on the reserve day designated for that match. Shortly after, the PCB issued a press release announcing his unavailability for the remainder of the tournament.
It’s worth noting that Shah’s injury pertains to a muscle located just below his bowling shoulder and is not a recurrence of any previous shoulder issues.
In the event that Naseem Shah’s recovery takes longer than expected, Zaman Khan, who stepped in as his replacement during the Asia Cup, could be considered for the World Cup squad.
The final decision regarding Naseem Shah’s participation in the ICC World Cup 2023 will be made by the PCB once they have received the results from his forthcoming secondary scans.
The upcoming ICC World Cup, set to take place in India, will feature ten teams vying for the prestigious title across ten venues, commencing on October 5 and culminating on November 19. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will serve as the venue for both the tournament opener and the final.
The Cricket World Cup will adopt a round-robin format, with all teams engaging in 45 league matches. The top four teams emerging from this stage will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for November 15 in Mumbai and November 16 in Kolkata. These knockout matches, including the final, will have designated reserve days as per tournament regulations.
It is worth noting that all participating teams must finalize their 15-player squads by September 28, with any subsequent replacements requiring approval from the ICC.
