Pakistan squad announced for Asia Cup, Afghanistan ODI series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup on Wednesday. 

The squad was revealed by newly-appointed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq in a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. 

Shan Masood, who was appointed vice-captain in the absence of Shadab Khan earlier this year, has been dropped from the team. Saud Shakeel got a call back in the ODI format and will be available for selection only in the Afghanistan series.

"Last management gave chances to Shan but he couldn't perform. up to the mark. Meanwhile, Saud performed really well so we decided to give him a chance," Inzamam told reporters. 

An 18-player squad will take on Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from August 22 till 26 and it will be trimmed to 17 players for the Asia Cup, which begins from the Multan Cricket Stadium on August 30 when Pakistan play Nepal.

Saud made his ODI debut against England in 2021 and last played the 50-over game against Australia in March last year. Recently, he scored a match-saving double-century for Pakistan in Galle Test against Sri Lanka. His dominant performance earned him a call back in the national ODI squad. 

Faheem Ashraf, who last played an ODI back in 2021, also made it to the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series and Asia Cup. 

The squad has been finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam.

SQUAD

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 Afridi.

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