Hasan returns as Pak names 15-member squad

Hasan Ali has been named in Pakistan’s 15-player squad for the 2023 World Cup, set to be played in India. The 29-year-old has been drafted into the squad after Naseem Shah was ruled out of the upcoming tournament after sustaining an injury in the recently-concluded Asia Cup.Hasan has featured in 60 ODIs for Pakistan since making his debut in 2017, picking up 91 wickets at an average of 30.36. His last ODI appearance came in the home series in January 2023 against New Zealand in KarachiNaseem suffered a shoulder injury during the Super 4 contest against India in the Asia Cup and was ruled out of the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board stated in a release on Friday, “Following thorough medical examinations and consultations with leading medical experts, Naseem has been advised to undergo surgery. He is expected to recover in three to four months.”In the team led by Babar Azam, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Haris and Zaman Khan have been excluded from the squad that played in the Asia Cup, with the latter two being included as traveling reserves alongside mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan has been retained as Babar’s deputy for the tournament.The squad is largely along predicted lines with three spinners – Shadab Khan, Usama Mir and Mohammad Nawaz to go with the the four-man pace attack of Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr.Pakistan will play two warm-up games, against New Zealand and Australia respectively. Their tournament opener will be against Netherlands on October 5, in Hyderabad.@@@