"And when Naseem was ruled out, we needed someone who could bowl with the new ball. He bowls well with both old and new ball, and is a team man. His presence lends energy to the team."

"Unfortunately, the report we have from our doctors, we hear Naseem will be out for a longer time than just the World Cup," Inzamam said. "At this time, he was the world's best bowler in my view. It's a loss for Pakistan and we hope he's fit soon."

Hasan last played an ODI in June 2022 and last played for Pakistan in any format in the second Test against New Zealand in Karachi in January this year.

Pakistan's World Cup squad announcement was delayed by several days as the PCB took stock of a disappointing Asia Cup campaign where they finished bottom of the Super Four group following defeats to India and Sri Lanka. The board also waited on a second opinion on Naseem's injury, though positive news on that front has not been forthcoming.

The PCB released a statement on Thursday saying chairman Zaka Ashraf had met the captain Babar Azam, vice-captain Shadab Khan, technical committee members Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez, as well as head coach Grant Bradburn and bowling coach Morne Morkel. While the details of the discussions were left vague, it took place amid intense speculation around both the timing and nature of Pakistan's squad announcement. As a further point of intrigue, Hafeez resigned from the technical committee on the eve of the squad release.

Pakistan squad for the World Cup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali