Faheem Ashraf, has made his return to the Pakistan squad for both the Asia Cup and the series against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Shan Masood and Ihsanullah have been excluded from the squad.
The announcement of the squad for the upcoming series and the Asia Cup was made by Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, who has resumed his position in the committee.
For the three-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan, an 18-player squad has been revealed. Conversely, the Asia Cup squad will consist of 17 players.
Interestingly, Saud Shakeel, who has secured a spot in the Afghanistan series lineup, will not be participating in the Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s matches against Afghanistan are scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka from August 22 to 26. Subsequently, the team will return home to compete in the Asia Cup, which commences on August 30 at the Multan Cricket Stadium with a match against Nepal.
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Faheem Ashraf is making a comeback to the squad after a hiatus of two years. His inclusion is expected to enhance the team’s equilibrium as a fast-bowling all-rounder. His most recent appearance for Pakistan was in the away series against England in July 2021.
On another note, Tayyab Tahir has been given his second opportunity in the ODI squad. His initial call-up took place prior to the three ODIs against New Zealand in January, following an impressive performance during the Pakistan Cup 2022-23 season.
Saud Shakeel, despite his presence in the Afghanistan series lineup, has not been selected for the Asia Cup. He has participated in five ODIs, with his most recent appearance occurring in March 2022 when Pakistan successfully chased down 348 against Australia with six wickets in hand in Lahore.
Shan’s omission from the squad can be attributed to his recent string of low scores, while Ihsanullah has been excluded due to an ongoing rehabilitation program for an injury to his bowling elbow.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stated that the squad will convene in Hambantota, Sri Lanka on August 18, with players departing from Pakistan on August 17. Those players situated in Pakistan will engage in a three-day training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on August 14, 15, and 16.
Players participating in the Lankan Premier League and The Hundred will directly join the squad in Sri Lanka on August 18.
The composition of the squad was finalized through discussions involving the national men’s selection committee, which includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, and Hassan Cheema (secretary), in conjunction with Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam.
Here’s the squad list:
- Abdullah Shafique
- Fakhar Zaman
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Tayyab Tahir
- Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series)
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Haris
- Shadab Khan (vice-captain)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Usama Mir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
