Former Pakistan captain, Shahid Afridi, revealed his Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, set to take place in India during October and November. 

While speaking to a local media channel, Afridi mentioned few players who have been absent from the Pakistan squad for an extended period, notably including all-rounder Imad Wasim and pacers Hassan Ali and Arshad Iqbal. 

He commended Imad for his outstanding all-around performance, emphasizing that having a bowler of his caliber, especially effective with the new ball, is crucial when the fast bowlers are facing challenges.

“We will have two types of tracks, either we’ll get a seaming track or a very flat track. Look, the thing is we already have spinners. Sometimes, if a fast bowler is not bowling well and is being bashed, then you need a bowler like Imad Wasim who can be a very dangerous bowler with the new ball,” Afridi said. 

“I have seen his batting, and I felt very confident about him. He has played some fantastic innings. He’s a player who knows how to handle pressure, mentally strong, quite senior, and has played a lot of cricket,” he added.

The 46-year-old also lavished praise on Arshad Iqbal for his impressive attributes, highlighting him as an assertive bowler whose presence is crucial within the team.

“Arshad Iqbal possesses very strong qualities as a very robust bowler. He bowls with aggression and on those pitches, you need a bowler who bowls with strong pace,” he concluded.

Shahid Afridi’s World Cup 2023 squad: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Hassan Ali (subject to fitness)