Inzamam-ul-Haq, the head of the national men’s selection committee, announced Asia Cup 2023 Pakistan Squad and Afghanistan series.
An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from 22 till 26 August 2023 and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup.
Afghanistan has already announced its squad for Pakistan vs Afghanistan ODI series. The series is scheduled to start from 22nd August 2023.
Asia Cup 2023 Pakistan Squad and Afghanistan Series
Openers: 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
Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir
Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf
Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi
Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf and Saud Shakeel have been included in the squad for the Afghanistan series.
Pakistan Cricket Board has announced Asia Cup 2023 Pakistan squad and squad for Afghanistan series on its official twitter account as well.
After a two-year hiatus, Faheem Ashraf has returned to the national team, significantly enhancing the team’s equilibrium as a fast-bowling all-rounder. He last participated in this format during Pakistan’s three-match series against England in July 2021.
Tayyab Tahir receives his second selection opportunity in the ODI squad. He earned his initial selection for the three ODIs against New Zealand in January after delivering an outstanding performance in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23, where he emerged as the top run-scorer. The right-handed middle-order batsman showcased his brilliance by crafting a remarkable century, leading Pakistan Shaheens to a commanding 128-run victory over India A in the final of the ACC Men’s Emerging Cup.
Saud Shakeel, who is not included in the Asia Cup squad, has participated in five ODIs. His most recent appearance was in March 2022, during Pakistan’s successful chase of 348 against Australia in Lahore, where they secured victory with six wickets remaining.
Shan Masood has been left out of the selection due to a series of poor scores, whereas Ihsanullah is currently undergoing a rehabilitation program supervised by the PCB’s medical panel due to an injury in his bowling elbow.
On August 18, the team will gather in Hambantota, while players based in Pakistan will begin their journey on August 17. Prior to departing, players in Pakistan will engage in a three-day training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from August 14 to August 16.
You can check out schedules for Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023 on Explore It Beyond!
