Pakistan’s senior pacer, Hasan Ali, will be missing the crucial 2023 World Cup fixture against South Africa, scheduled for Friday, October 27, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This unexpected development has sent ripples through the Pakistani camp.

Hasan Ali’s absence is attributed to an unfortunate illness. He fell ill with a fever on Wednesday, and the chances of his swift recovery before the South Africa match are slim. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) medical team has advised the cricketer to prioritize rest, ensuring his availability for the remaining games of this prestigious tournament. Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

“Unfortunately, Hasan has developed a fever, and he won’t be fit in time for the South Africa match,” said a spokesperson from the PCB medical team.

Hasan Ali’s role in the team has been pivotal, especially after being drafted in as a replacement for the injured Naseem Shah. In the 2023 World Cup, he has delivered with distinction, capturing eight wickets in five matches while maintaining an economy rate of 5.82. However, his absence will open the door for Mohammad Wasim Jr., who is expected to replace him in the playing XI.

The second half of the 2023 World Cup holds immense significance for Pakistan’s campaign, as they seek to regain their form after suffering three consecutive defeats. 

The team made a robust start by defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs in their opening match. They followed this up with a crucial six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan’s fortunes took a sharp downturn thereafter.

Their encounter with arch-rivals India ended in a disappointing seven-wicket loss after Pakistan was dismissed for a mere 191 runs. Subsequently, their match against Australia revealed vulnerabilities in their bowling and fielding as they conceded 367 runs and suffered a 62-run defeat.

In the latest setback, Pakistan faced defeat against Afghanistan by eight wickets, failing to defend a target of 283 runs. As they head into the latter stages of the tournament, Pakistan needs a remarkable turnaround to stay in contention.

With a tally of two wins from five games and a net run rate of -0.400, Pakistan currently holds the fifth position in the 2023 World Cup points table. Their upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate in this global cricketing event. Get free cricket betting tips from Nextbet Sports.