Pakistan Reveals Squads for Asia Cup and Afghanistan Series

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Inzamam-ul-Haq, the chief selector for the national men’s team, announced the lineups for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup and the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan today.

For the Sri Lanka series against Afghanistan scheduled from August 22 to 26, an initial 18-player squad has been named. This selection will then be reduced to 17 players for the Asia Cup, set to commence on August 30 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan will face Nepal.

Opening Batsmen: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle Order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series)

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spin Bowlers: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz, and Usama Mir

Pace All-Rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Fast Bowlers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi

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Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, and Saud Shakeel have secured spots in the squad for the Afghanistan series. Shan Masood and Ihsanullah are the two players who were part of the squad that competed against New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May but have not been included this time.

Faheem Ashraf is making a return to the team after a two-year absence, adding a valuable dimension as a fast-bowling all-rounder. His most recent appearance in this format was during Pakistan’s away series against England in July 2021.

This is Tayyab Tahir’s second inclusion in the ODI squad. He was first called up ahead of the three ODIs against New Zealand in January after impressing in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23, where he emerged as the top run-scorer.

Saud Shakeel, who is not part of the Asia Cup squad, has previously played five ODIs. His most recent match was in March 2022 when Pakistan successfully chased down 348 against Australia with six wickets remaining in Lahore.

Shan Masood has been left out due to a series of low scores, while Ihsanullah is currently undergoing a rehabilitation program under the supervision of the PCB’s medical panel due to an elbow injury in his bowling arm.

The team will gather in Hambantota on August 18, with the players in Pakistan departing on August 17. Those in Pakistan will undergo a three-day training camp on August 14, 15, and 16 at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Here is the complete squad for Asia Cup 2023.

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