Pakistan ODI World Cup Squad and Records

Pakistan have one of the richest histories in ODI World Cup cricket. They became world champions in 1992 under Imran Khan, reached the final again in 1999 and have produced some of the tournament’s greatest fast bowlers, batters and all-rounders. Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis defined earlier generations, while Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan formed the core of the 2023 side. Pakistan’s 2023 campaign ended in the group stage, but they have already qualified for the 2027 ODI World Cup in southern Africa, where another opportunity to challenge for a second title awaits.

Pakistan ODI World Cup Squad

Pakistan’s latest completed ODI World Cup squad was the 15-player group selected for the 2023 tournament in India.

Pakistan entered the tournament without Naseem Shah, who was ruled out through injury. Hasan Ali replaced him in the final squad, while Shaheen Afridi led the pace attack alongside Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim.

Babar Azam – Pakistan’s Modern World Cup Batter

Babar Azam played his first ODI World Cup in 2019 and immediately became Pakistan’s leading run-scorer at the tournament.

He scored 474 runs in eight innings in 2019, the most by a Pakistan batter in a single World Cup at that time. His campaign included an unbeaten 101 against New Zealand, one of Pakistan’s most important victories of the tournament.

Babar returned as captain in 2023.

He scored 320 runs during the tournament, including four half-centuries, but Pakistan’s batting was less consistent than expected.

Babar’s role was different from Fakhar Zaman’s. While Fakhar usually attacked the new ball, Babar was expected to control the middle overs and build an innings around partnerships.

His 2019 and 2023 performances have already placed him among Pakistan’s leading World Cup run-scorers of the modern era.

Shaheen Shah Afridi – Pakistan’s Leading New-Ball Threat

Shaheen Shah Afridi owns the best bowling figures by a Pakistan player in ODI World Cup history.

He took 6/35 against Bangladesh at Lord’s in 2019.

Shaheen was only 19 at the time, making the performance even more remarkable. He finished the 2019 World Cup with 16 wickets at an average of 14.62.

He returned as Pakistan’s leading fast bowler in 2023 and took 18 wickets from nine matches.

His ability to swing the new ball back into right-handers remains one of Pakistan’s biggest weapons.

Shaheen also produced five-wicket spells in ODI cricket outside the World Cup and has become the natural successor to Pakistan’s long tradition of left-arm fast bowlers.

Mohammad Rizwan – Pakistan’s Leading Batter in 2023

Mohammad Rizwan was Pakistan’s most productive batter at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

He scored 395 runs from eight innings at an average of 65.83.

His greatest performance came against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad.

Pakistan were chasing 345, which would become the highest successful chase in Men’s ODI World Cup history at the time.

Rizwan scored an unbeaten 131 despite struggling with cramps, while Abdullah Shafique made 113.

Pakistan reached 345/4 in 48.2 overs and won by six wickets.

That innings remains one of the finest World Cup chases by a Pakistan batter.

Rizwan’s ability to rotate strike and accelerate late makes him especially important in ODI cricket, where he often bridges the gap between the top order and finishers.

Fakhar Zaman – Pakistan’s Power Opener

Fakhar Zaman brings a completely different style to Pakistan’s World Cup batting.

He attacks fast bowlers early and is willing to take risks against spin.

His most famous 2023 World Cup innings came against New Zealand in Bengaluru.

Fakhar scored an unbeaten 126 from 81 balls as Pakistan chased a huge target in a rain-affected game.

Pakistan were ahead on the DLS calculation when rain ended the match, giving them an important victory and keeping their semifinal hopes alive.

Fakhar finished the 2023 World Cup with 220 runs from only four innings.

His ability to change a match within the first 15 overs gives Pakistan a weapon that few traditional anchor-style openers can match.

Haris Rauf – High-Pace Middle and Death Overs

Haris Rauf made his ODI World Cup debut in 2023.

He took 16 wickets during the tournament and finished as Pakistan’s second-highest wicket-taker behind Shaheen Afridi.

Rauf’s pace regularly exceeded 145 km/h, and he was used in both the middle overs and at the death.

His campaign was expensive at times, especially on high-scoring Indian pitches, but he still produced important wicket-taking spells.

Against England in Pakistan’s final match, Rauf dismissed Harry Brook and Moeen Ali late in the innings while also contributing to Jos Buttler’s run-out.

Pakistan have historically relied on fast bowlers to attack rather than simply contain, and Rauf fits that tradition.

Shadab Khan – Spin All-Rounder

Shadab Khan entered the 2023 World Cup as Pakistan’s vice-captain and leading leg-spin all-rounder.

His best World Cup contribution with the bat came against South Africa in Chennai.

Pakistan were in trouble before Shadab joined Saud Shakeel and scored 43 from 36 balls. Their partnership helped Pakistan recover to 270.

His bowling campaign was less successful than expected, particularly on Indian surfaces where Pakistan had hoped their spinners would play a major role.

Shadab’s value comes from his combination of leg-spin, lower-middle-order batting and athletic fielding.

He has been part of Pakistan’s ODI World Cup squads since 2019 and remains one of the country’s most experienced white-ball all-rounders.

Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup Title

The 1992 World Cup remains the greatest moment in Pakistan cricket history.

Pakistan began the tournament poorly.

They had only one win and one no-result from their first five matches and appeared likely to be eliminated.

Imran Khan’s team then produced one of the great World Cup recoveries.

Pakistan defeated Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand to reach the semifinals.

They faced New Zealand again at Eden Park.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, then a young middle-order batter, produced a brilliant attacking innings of 60 from 37 balls and helped Pakistan reach their first World Cup final.

The final was played against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Pakistan scored 249/6.

Imran Khan made 72 and Javed Miandad contributed 58.

England reached 227 before being bowled out in the 50th over.

Wasim Akram produced the decisive spell, dismissing Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with consecutive deliveries and finishing with 3/49.

Pakistan won by 22 runs.

Wasim Akram was named Player of the Match and finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 18 wickets.

Pakistan at the 1999 World Cup

Pakistan reached their second ODI World Cup final in 1999.

The tournament was held primarily in England.

Pakistan had an explosive team built around Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq and several experienced all-rounders.

They defeated New Zealand in the semifinal, with Saeed Anwar scoring an unbeaten 113.

Pakistan then faced Australia at Lord’s in the final.

The match went badly from the beginning.

Pakistan were dismissed for only 132 in 39 overs, with Shane Warne taking 4/33.

Australia chased the target in 20.1 overs and won by eight wickets.

Despite the one-sided final, Pakistan’s run to the title match remains one of their best World Cup campaigns.

Pakistan at the 2023 ODI World Cup

Pakistan started the 2023 tournament positively.

They defeated the Netherlands and then completed a record chase against Sri Lanka.

The campaign changed after defeats to India and Australia.

Pakistan also lost a dramatic match against South Africa by one wicket in Chennai.

They recovered with victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand, but their semifinal chances were damaged by earlier losses and net run rate.

Pakistan’s final match came against England at Eden Gardens.

England scored 337/9 and Pakistan were unable to complete the huge victory margin required to qualify.

Pakistan finished fifth with four wins and five defeats.

Rizwan led the batting with 395 runs, Babar scored 320, Shaheen took 18 wickets and Haris Rauf claimed 16.

Pakistan and the 2027 ODI World Cup

The 2027 World Cup has not yet been played.

The tournament is scheduled from October 2 to November 21, 2027 and will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Pakistan have already qualified directly through the ICC ODI rankings.

They are placed in Group A alongside India, Australia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A.

Pakistan’s group-stage schedule includes matches against Afghanistan on October 8, India on October 10 in Johannesburg, Qualifier A on October 15, Zimbabwe on October 19 and Australia on October 22.

The new tournament format sends the top three teams in each group, plus the better fourth-placed team, into a Super 7 stage.

Pakistan therefore enter the 2027 cycle with a different qualification challenge from the 10-team league format used in 2023.

Best Pakistan Batting Performances in ODI World Cups

Imran Nazir’s 160 against Zimbabwe in 2007 remains Pakistan’s highest individual score in ODI World Cup history.

Rizwan’s 131* and Fakhar’s 126* in 2023 are two of Pakistan’s best modern World Cup innings because both came during important successful chases.

Best Pakistan Bowling Performances in ODI World Cups

Shaheen Afridi’s 6/35 remains Pakistan’s best bowling performance in ODI World Cup history.

Shahid Afridi’s two five-wicket hauls in 2011 helped him finish that tournament among its leading wicket-takers, while Wasim Akram’s 1992 performances remain the standard for match-winning fast bowling in Pakistan’s championship history.

Pakistan ODI World Cup Milestones

Pakistan have reached the semifinals or better in several different eras, but 1992 remains their only championship.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s ODI World Cup history is built around one unforgettable championship, one runner-up finish and several strong semifinal campaigns.

The 1992 team remains the benchmark. Imran Khan led Pakistan from near elimination to the title, while Wasim Akram finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker and produced the decisive spell in the final.

The 1999 team came close to adding a second trophy but was overwhelmed by Australia at Lord’s.

Modern Pakistan have produced a new generation of World Cup performers. Babar Azam scored a national single-edition record 474 runs in 2019, Shaheen Afridi took 6/35 in the same tournament, and Rizwan, Fakhar and Shaheen produced Pakistan’s best performances in 2023.

Pakistan finished fifth in 2023 and missed the semifinals, but the 2027 tournament provides another opportunity.

They have already qualified directly and will face major group-stage matches against India and Australia as they chase a second ODI World Cup title.

FAQs

How many ODI World Cups have Pakistan won?

Pakistan have won one Men’s ODI World Cup, in 1992.

Who captained Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup title?

Imran Khan captained Pakistan to the championship.

Who did Pakistan beat in the 1992 World Cup final?

Pakistan defeated England by 22 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Who was Player of the Match in the 1992 World Cup final?

Wasim Akram was Player of the Match after taking 3/49 and playing a decisive role with the ball.

How many wickets did Wasim Akram take in the 1992 World Cup?

Wasim Akram took 18 wickets and finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

How did Pakistan perform in the 1999 World Cup?

Pakistan reached the final but lost to Australia by eight wickets.

Who captained Pakistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup?

Babar Azam captained Pakistan in 2023.

How did Pakistan finish in the 2023 World Cup?

Pakistan finished fifth with four wins and five defeats.

Who scored the most runs for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup?

Mohammad Rizwan led Pakistan with 395 runs at an average of 65.83.

Who took the most wickets for Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup?

Shaheen Shah Afridi took 18 wickets.

What is Pakistan’s highest individual ODI World Cup score?

Imran Nazir scored 160 against Zimbabwe in 2007.

What are Pakistan’s best ODI World Cup bowling figures?

Shaheen Afridi took 6/35 against Bangladesh in 2019.

What is Babar Azam’s best ODI World Cup score?

Babar’s best World Cup score is 101 not out against New Zealand in 2019.

What is Mohammad Rizwan’s best World Cup score?

Rizwan scored 131 not out against Sri Lanka in 2023.

Has Pakistan qualified for the 2027 ODI World Cup?

Yes. Pakistan qualified directly through the ICC ODI rankings at the September 30, 2026 cut-off.

Which group is Pakistan in for the 2027 World Cup?

Pakistan are in Group A with India, Australia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A.

When will India and Pakistan play in the 2027 World Cup?

India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet on October 10, 2027 in Johannesburg.

How many World Cup finals have Pakistan played?

Pakistan have played two Men’s ODI World Cup finals, in 1992 and 1999.