Pakistan Announces Asia Cup Cricket Squad
On Wednesday, the Pakistan national men’s selection committee unveiled their cricket squads that will be participating in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, as well as the Asia Cup 2023.
The Pakistan national men’s selection committee revealed the selected squads on Wednesday, set to participate in the forthcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023. Initially consisting of 18 players, the squad is slated to face Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from August 22 to 26. Subsequently, the squad will be trimmed down to 17 players for the Asia Cup.
Shan Masood and Ihsanullah, who were part of the team for the five ODIs against New Zealand in April and May, have been excluded from the squad this time. Additionally, Saud Shakeel has been included solely for the Afghanistan series.
“Shan has missed out on selection following a string of low-scores, while Ihsanullah is undergoing a rehabilitation programme under the observation of the PCB’s medical panel following an injury in his bowling elbow,” the PCB said in a statement.
Faheem Ashraf has made a comeback to the ODI squad after a two-year absence. His inclusion is expected to provide greater equilibrium to the team, which has encountered challenges in finding a pace-bowling all-rounder recently. Faheem last participated in an ODI series during the away matches against England in July 2021.
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Tayyab Tahir, securing his second ODI call-up, has been chosen following an impressive performance with the bat during Pakistan’s Emerging Asia Cup campaign in the previous month.
“We have picked 18 players for the Afghanistan series and one less for the Asia Cup. Preference has been given to Faheem Ashraf, since the squad doesn’t have another all-rounder,” Pakistan’s newly-appointed chief national men’s selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said at a press conference. “If you look at PSL and other tournaments, he was in good form. And we need an allrounder, he is a fast-bowling allrounder, which we need at the World Cup.”
Inzamam, who assumed the role of chief selector on Monday, expressed his aspiration for the players to receive effective preparation ahead of the World Cup scheduled in India from October 5 to November 19.
“We have selected players with the focus also on the World Cup and hope that the team brings laurels to the country,” he said.
Saud Shakeel, another middle-order batsman, has also earned a place back in the ODI squad, specifically for the Afghanistan series. The remainder of the squad maintains their positions from the recent home series against New Zealand. However, fast bowler Ihsanullah, middle-order batsman Haris Sohail, and top-order batsman Shan Masood have been excluded from the squad, as Pakistan seeks to solidify its selection for the forthcoming World Cup in India.
“The team will assemble in Hambantota on 18 August with the players in Pakistan departing on 17 August. The players in Pakistan will hold a three-day camp on 14, 15 and 16 August at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore,” the statement added.
The Pakistan squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series and Asia Cup includes: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, and Saud Shakeel (for Afghanistan series only).
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