After scans revealed that Naseem Shah’s right shoulder injury was worse than first thought, it is likely that he will miss the entire World Cup. The PCB is reportedly seeking a second opinion, although scans from examinations in Dubai seem to indicate the injury may prevent him from playing for the remainder of the year. In a statement issued on Saturday night, the board stated that “the PCB medical panel will decide on the fast bowler’s return to cricket based on further assessments.”
Due to an injury, Naseem Shah is anticipated to miss the 2023 World Cup
If more results confirm the preliminary ones, Naseem might be in for a protracted layoff. He might not play in the upcoming Test series in Australia, and the 2024 edition of the Pakistan Super League is also a possibility.
Last week, on the reserve day scheduled for that match, Naseem left the field in the middle of the 46th over in Pakistan’s second game against India at the Asia Cup. He was quickly eliminated from the competition. Ironically, the PCB had lobbied for that reserve day for the game against India as a hard-won concession following the refusal to transfer the games to Hambantota, which was predicted to be drier.Naseem suffered a muscle strain immediately below his bowling shoulder on that reserve day, which, according to ESPNcricinfo, is not a repeat of any past shoulder issues.
The loss of Naseem from the World Cup and the ensuing series in Australia will be devastating for Pakistan. For Pakistan, Naseem has transformed over the past year from a red-ball specialist to an all-format bowler. On his present form, Naseem is the best of Pakistan’s renowned trio of Naseem, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf.
When the PCB receives the results of his secondary scans in a few days, it is anticipated to make an official decision. Zaman Khan took his place at the Asia Cup because Mohammad Hasnain, another potential substitute, is now injured.
Due to an injury, Naseem Shah is anticipated to miss the 2023 World Cup
In the beginning of his career, Naseem has struggled with injuries. He missed 14 months of cricket due to a back ailment he suffered one year into his international career when he was 17 years old. He was forced to miss a month of play six weeks after his comeback due to a shoulder injury he sustained while making his County Championship debut with Gloucestershire.
Since then, his workload has greatly grown (18 months). Naseem, who at the time was simply a red-ball player, has developed into a vital bowler for Pakistan in all formats. Since making his ODI debut, he has been their most effective bowler, taking 32 wickets in 14 games while average slightly under 17.
But with someone as young as Naseem, the workload has risen rather sharply. Only eight fast bowlers have bowled more international deliveries since July 2022 than Naseem’s 2246, and none of them are even close to his age. Only 2732 balls have been bowled overall by Afridi and Haris Rauf. Naseem has also been in demand on the T20 circuit since leaving the LPL recently. He was on the shortlist for the SA20 auction on Friday, but he will now almost certainly miss the event.
