Hey cricket fans, welcome back to Halatihazira.com, your reliable source for in-depth sports analysis, cricket updates, and global tournament insights. As we kick back in early 2026, it's hard not to reflect on the highs and lows of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, the 13th edition of the ODI extravaganza hosted by India. For Pakistan, it was a rollercoaster: A talented squad full of promise, some stellar individual moments, but ultimately a campaign that fell short of expectations. If you're revisiting this for nostalgia, stats, or just to relive the drama, we've got you covered. We'll break down the official squad, spotlight key players, recap their journey through the tournament, and ponder what it all meant for Pakistan cricket. Think of this as a chat with a fellow fan over chai, factual, engaging, and packed with details to give you the full picture.

Back in September 2023, when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 15man squad, excitement was palpable. Led by the elegant Babar Azam, the team blended experience with emerging talent, aiming to end a 31year drought since their 1992 triumph. But as history shows, cricket is unpredictable. Let's dive into the details, drawing from official announcements and tournament recaps.

 The Official Squad Announcement: Building a Balanced Unit

The PCB announced Pakistan's squad on September 22, 2023, just weeks before the tournament kicked off on October 5. Captain Babar Azam, widely regarded as one of the world's top batters, led the side, with allrounder Shadab Khan as vice-captain. The selection emphasized a mix of pace bowling firepower, spin options, and a solid batting lineup to tackle diverse Indian pitches, from spin-friendly tracks in Chennai to bouncy surfaces in Dharamsala.

Here's the full 15man squad:

 Batters: Babar Azam (c), Imamul Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel

 Allrounders: Shadab Khan (vc), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Agha Salman

 Wicketkeeper: Mohammad Rizwan

 Pacers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr

 Spinner: Usama Mir

Traveling reserves included leg spinner Abrar Ahmed, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris, and pacer Zaman Khan. Notably, Naseem Shah was ruled out due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Asia Cup, leading to Hasan Ali's recall after a two-year absence from ODIs. This tweak aimed to bolster the pace attack, which had been a strength in bilateral series leading up to the World Cup.

The squad was selected after consultations with the team management, focusing on form from the Asia Cup 2023, where Pakistan reached the Super Four stage. PCB chief selector Inzamamul Haq emphasized versatility: "We have a team that can adapt to different conditions, with strong batting depth and a potent bowling unit." At the time, Pakistan was ranked No. 1 in ODIs, fueling optimism for a deep run.

 Key Players to Watch: Stars Who Defined the Campaign

Every World Cup squad has its linchpins, and Pakistan's was no exception. Here's a closer look at standout performers and their roles, based on pretournament hype and actual stats.

 Babar Azam (Captain, Batter): The linchpin with a ODI average over 58, Babar scored 320 runs in 9 innings at an average of 40, including four half centuries. His elegant cover drives were a highlight, but critics noted a lack of big hundreds in crunch games.

 Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper Batter): Rizwan emerged as Pakistan's top scorer with 395 runs at 65.83, featuring an unbeaten 131 in a record chase against Sri Lanka. His grit behind the stumps and in the middle order was invaluable, handling spin and pace with equal aplomb.

 Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pacer): The left arm speedster led the bowling with 18 wickets at 33.11, including a fivewicket haul against Bangladesh. His swing bowling troubled openers, but injuries and form dips affected consistency.

 Haris Rauf (Pacer): Known for raw pace, Rauf claimed 16 wickets at 33.31, with a best of 5/35 vs Australia. His Yorkers and bouncers added firepower, though he leaked runs in death overs.

 Abdullah Shafique (Opener): A surprise package, Shafique notched 336 runs at 42, with a century (113) in the epic chase vs Sri Lanka. His technique against seamers solidified the top order.

Other notables included Fakhar Zaman's explosive 81 off 39 balls (with 6 sixes) in a rain affected win over New Zealand, and Shadab Khan's all-round contributions despite fitness issues. The squad's depth was tested, with players like Iftikhar Ahmed providing middle order muscle and Usama Mir stepping in for spin variety.

 Pre-tournament Expectations: Hopes for Glory

Heading into the World Cup, Pakistan carried momentum from a strong home series against New Zealand and Afghanistan. Ranked No. 1 in ODIs, they were tipped as semifinal contenders, if not title challengers. Experts highlighted their pace trio (Shaheen, Naseem, before injury, and Rauf) as a potential gamechanger on seaming pitches, while the batting lineup's experience in subcontinental conditions was a plus.

Challenges loomed: Inconsistent spin bowling after Shadab's form slump, injury concerns (Naseem's absence was a blow), and historical struggles against archrivals India in World Cups (07 record before 2023). The team prepared with a camp in Lahore and warmup matches, focusing on fitness and adaptability. Babar rallied the troops: "We're here to win, not just participate."

 The Tournament Journey: Wins, Losses, and Heartbreaks

Pakistan's campaign started promisingly but unraveled midway. They played 9 group stage matches, finishing 5th with 8 points (4 wins, 5 losses), missing the semifinals.

 Key Wins: A comfortable 81run victory over Netherlands to open, followed by a record World Cup chase of 345 vs Sri Lanka (thanks to centuries from Rizwan and Shafique). They snapped a losing streak with 7wicket wins over Bangladesh and a DLS-adjusted thriller vs New Zealand (Fakhar's heroics).

 Painful Losses: A 7wicket thrashing by India (extending the streak to 08), a shock 8wicket defeat to Afghanistan (their first ODI win over Pakistan), narrow losses to South Africa (1 wicket) and Australia (62 runs), and a 93run drubbing by England in the finale.

Overall stats: 2,565 runs scored (average 285 per innings), 78 wickets taken. Fielding lapses and middle order collapses hurt, while the bowling unit conceded too many in powerplays. Per ICC reports, Pakistan's net run rate of 0.199 reflected close games but ultimately sealed their fate. The Afghanistan upset was a low point, exposing tactical errors like poor spin handling.

 Aftermath and Lessons: Reflections from 2026

In hindsight, the 2023 World Cup was a wakeup call for Pakistan cricket. Post tournament, Babar stepped down as captain amid PCB changes, with Shaheen taking over in white ball formats briefly before Shan Masood's appointment. Inzamam resigned as selector, citing conflicts. The campaign highlighted needs for better fitness regimes, mental conditioning, and youth integration, issues addressed in subsequent series like the 2024 T20 World Cup prep.

Read about Top 10 Fast Bowlers in Cricket History Who Redefined Speed and Skill

From a fan's perspective, it was bittersweet: Moments of brilliance (that Sri Lanka chase!) amid regrets over underutilized talent and strategic missteps. As of 2026, with the next ODI World Cup in 2027 looming, Pakistan has rebuilt, focusing on domestic talent pipelines and data driven selections. What do you think, could a fully fit Naseem have changed the outcome? Share your takes in the comments; cricket debates are the best!