3 players who can replace Naseem Shah in the upcoming World Cup

Pakistan landed a huge blow when the young pacer Naseem Shah had to leave the field in the crucial Super Four stage Asia Cup 2023 match against India without completing his quota of 10 overs. It was later unveiled that Naseem had complained of a shoulder injury. As a result, he was ruled out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka then knocked out Pakistan in a thrilling encounter, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the final of the tournament. During the post-match press conference, captain Babar Azam hinted that Naseem Shah might not recover in time to take part in Pakistan's opening games at the World Cup in India. Notably, Pakistan will play the Netherlands in the ODI World Cup 2023, on October 6, in Hyderabad. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to give any further update about Naseem’s injury as the pacer is in Dubai, for scans for the muscle injury below his right shoulder. Naseem, 20, has had injury issues in the early stages of his career. A back injury he sustained one year into his international career when he was 17 years old. The injury kept him out of action for 14 months. In the same vein, Pakistan will have to fall back on their bench strength to find an able replacement for Naseem Shah for the initial phase of the ODI World Cup. 

Here are the 3 players who can replace Naseem Shah for Pakistan's ODI World Cup matches:

3. Shahnawaz Dahani

Shahnawaz Dahani had to fly down from Pakistan to Sri Lanka at short notice for the Asia Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14. He came in as a backup for Haris Rauf, who picked up an injury during the team's Super Four encounter against India. But his stay turned out to be short-lived as the Men in Green were knocked out of the tournament on the same day.

The right-arm pacer from Larkana has played 2 ODIs and 11 T20Is for Pakistan since making his debut against Bangladesh in 2021. He has 8 T20I wickets and 1 ODI wicket to his name. Known for his height and slingy action was the highest wicket-taker in PSL 2021. However, the rise of Naseem Shah in white-ball cricket has put Shahnawaz Dahani on the back burner.

But Dahani can be a good choice for Babar Azam and co. as he seems to have a knack for picking up wickets. Hence he can be a decent backup for Naseem till the time the young pacer gets fits for big matches. The key reason for him being a slingy-action bowler which adds another variety of pace bowling to Pakistan's bowling arsenal.