Naseem Shah might not be able to recover in time to
play in Pakistan’s opening World Cup games, according to Babar Azam. Although
Naseem has a right shoulder injury, the PCB has not released a schedule for his
recovery. Babar seemed dubious as to whether Naseem would be ready to play from
the start of the tournament next month.
There is more certainty that Haris Rauf, who is
dealing with a side issue, will be ready for the start of the World Cup because
Pakistan did not even formally exclude him from the Asia Cup or add Shahnawaz
Dahani as his replacement to the team. After Pakistan’s last-ball loss to Sri
Lanka and elimination from the Asia Cup, Babar expressed similar confidence in
Rauf’s chances while appearing to be unsure about Naseem’s full World Cup
availability.
When asked what plans Pakistan had should Naseem and
Rauf miss out, Babar was coy about back-up plans but did expand on the
prospects of both.
“I’ll tell you later,” he said. “Not
telling you our Plan B now. But yes, Haris Rauf is not bad. He’s just got a
little bit of a side strain, but he’s recovering before the World Cup. Naseem
Shah also… they have a couple of miss matches, I don’t know [how long] the
recovery [is], but in my opinion, Naseem Shah also [will be] in the World Cup
later on. But let’s see.”
The extent of Naseem’s injury has not yet been
specified by the PCB. His muscle issue, which he appeared to incur when bowling
at the end against India on Monday, is currently being examined by scans while
he is in Dubai. He was removed from the competition shortly after he was
removed in the middle of the over. Rauf was unable to bowl that day due to a
problem in his side, and Pakistan rested him in an effort to be extra cautious
given the impending World Cup.
In their crucial match against Sri Lanka without their
two fast bowlers, Pakistan started Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Zaman Khan. Both
failed to make an impact, their combined nine overs going for 64 runs as Sri
Lanka snuck home at the end of their chase because to problems with
wicket-taking.