Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan's Naseem Shah ruled out tournament with injury

Pakistan seamer Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the Asia Cup with a shoulder injury, the team said on Wednesday. The development comes ahead of their must-win Super Four clash against Sri Lanka.

Pace bowler Zaman Khan had replaced Naseem in the Pakistan squad and is expected to come right into the playing XI for a must-win virtual semi-final against Sri Lanka on Thursday.

“Naseem injured his right shoulder during the match against India,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

“He continues to be monitored by the team’s medical panel, that is taking all necessary precautions — keeping in mind the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”

Naseem and fellow seamer Haris Rauf were injured in their previous clash against India in Colombo, where they went down by 228 runs.

The match was played across two days with rain and Rauf did not bowl on the reserve day as a precautionary measure.

The team said Rauf “continues to recover well after he felt discomfort in his right flank on the first day of the match”.

Team doctor Sohail Saleem said: “These two fast bowlers are our assets and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup.”

Zaman and Shahnawaz Dahani were added to the team as backups right after the loss.

‘Big blow’

Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel said missing Naseem was a big blow but hoped another bowler will step into his shoes.

“Obviously, it is a big blow (absence of Naseem). It is unfortunate that he picked some little niggles. But what a fantastic opportunity for the guys you know coming in. After going down against India, it’s a must win game for us tomorrow. I’m quite excited to see new guys stepping in and showing some character,” said Morkel during the pre-match press-conference on Wednesday.

Morkel said losing to India was very disappointing but stressed that the team will come back stronger.

“After the India match, we were bitterly disappointed. For me, it is very important for the bowlers to do a bit of self-reflection, ask yourself the hard questions. Yes, credit must also go to the Indian batters.

“They put us under pressure early. Those are fantastic lessons for us before the World Cup. We are gonna grow from this and come back stronger,” said Morkel.

The former South African fast bowler hoped that Pakistan spinners would lift their game against Sri Lanka.

“The conditions are spin friendly and I think our spinners are working really hard at the moment. They will be the first to put up their hands when it is needed. They are all match-winners and experienced players. They know how to make comebacks,” he added.