The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to unveil the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, ending weeks of anticipation among cricket enthusiasts. With just a week remaining before the start of the Cricket World Cup, Pakistan had yet to announce its team, leaving fans eager to know who would represent the country on the global stage.
The PCB management committee, chaired by Zakar Ashraf, recently held a crucial meeting with the coaching staff and key players, including Captain Babar Azam, Vice-Captain Shadab Khan, and former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. The meeting focused on assessing the performance of the Pakistani cricket team during the recent Asia Cup held in Sri Lanka.
The complete coaching staff, including Head Coach Grant Bradburn, Batting Coach Andrew Pycroft, and Bowling Coach Morne Morkel, was invited to provide detailed feedback on the team’s recent performance. Dr. Sahil Saleem, who specializes in player fitness and rehabilitation, also participated in the meeting, briefing the committee on player injuries and their recovery progress.
The meeting delved into various aspects of the team’s recent performance, including fitness levels, and discussed future planning. It was unanimously agreed that a comprehensive strategy should be devised to manage player workloads effectively and prioritize national duties over league cricket, a shift from previous practices.
Zakar Ashraf emphasized the importance of creating an environment where open discussion and consensus-building can take place. The objective of this review session was to involve everyone in identifying issues and finding solutions to enhance the team’s performance.
The PCB assured players and coaching staff of providing all necessary facilities and resources to ensure the team’s success in the upcoming mega event. They aimed to build confidence that the team is well-prepared and can compete at the highest level. Pakistan boasts world-class batters and bowlers, and the management expressed confidence in their abilities.
The Chief Selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was unable to attend the recent emergency meeting due to medical reasons, met with Zakar Ashraf separately to share his insights and preferences. After completing the review process, Inzamam-ul-Haq finalized the selection for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
With the ICC Cricket World Cup set to commence in India on October 5th, Pakistan will play its first warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29th. In preparation for the tournament, fast bowler Haris Rauf has already begun his bowling practice under the guidance of the medical panel.
As the nation eagerly awaits the official announcement of Pakistan’s squad for the World Cup, hopes are high that the team will perform at its best and make Pakistan proud on the international cricket stage.
