The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially revealed the support staff for the senior men's cricket team participating in the Cricket World Cup in India, scheduled from October 5 to November 19. Director of Cricket Mickey Arthur, appointed to lead the men's senior team, will be joining the squad in India by September 30. His absence during the Asia Cup 2023 was notable, even though he played a pivotal role in various decisions, including the selection of the World Cup squad. It's worth noting that Arthur has maintained his association as the head coach of the Derbyshire County championship team despite his new role.
Grant Bradburn will assume the position of head coach, while former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel will continue as the team's bowling coach during the World Cup in India.
Furthermore, the Babar Azam-led team is scheduled to depart for India on the morning of Wednesday, two days before their first warm-up match in Hyderabad. Their warm-up matches will see them face New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3. Pakistan's World Cup 2023 campaign commences against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.
The PCB has also disclosed the player support personnel, including Rehan-ul-Haq (team manager), Grant Bradburn (head coach), Andrew Puttick (batting coach), Aftab Khan (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach), Dr. Sohail Saleem (team doctor), Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital content manager), Usman Anwari (security manager), Maqbool Ahmad Babri (psychologist), Talha Ejaz (analyst), and Malang Ali (masseur).
Pakistan's performance in the Asia Cup was underwhelming as Babar Azam's side failed to reach the final after defeats to India and Sri Lanka in the Super Fours stage.
However, Pakistan faced a significant setback ahead of the World Cup when young fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury sustained during the Asia Cup. Naseem suffered a shoulder injury during a match against India. The 20-year-old cricketer is set to undergo surgery and is expected to be sidelined for three to four months. This unfortunate development led to a significant alteration in the team's composition.
In response to Shah's injury, seasoned medium-fast bowler Hasan Ali has been drafted back into the squad. Hasan Ali, born on July 2, 1994, is a highly experienced cricketer who has represented the national team across all formats. His inclusion is deemed a strategic move, considering his extensive experience and proven performance in high-stakes matches.
Additionally, the PCB has announced three travelling reserves – Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, and Zaman Khan, who will be considered in case of further injuries within the squad.
