Inzamam-ul-Haq Announces Squads for ACC Men’s Asia Cup and ODI Series Against Afghanistan

Inzamam-ul-Haq, head of Pakistan’s national men’s selection committee, has unveiled the squads for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup and the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan. An 18-player squad is set to face Afghanistan in Sri Lanka from August 22 to 26. This squad will then be reduced to 17 players for the Asia Cup, commencing on August 30 at the Multan Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan will face Nepal.

Squads:
Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq
Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel (Afghanistan series only)
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris
Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir
Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf
Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, and Saud Shakeel have been included for the Afghanistan series. Notably, Shan Masood and Ihsanullah have been omitted from the squad that faced New Zealand in the April-May ODI series. Faheem Ashraf makes a comeback after two years, enhancing the team’s fast bowling all-round capabilities.

Tayyab Tahir receives his second ODI call-up after an impressive performance in the Pakistan Cup 2022-23, emerging as the top run-scorer. Saud Shakeel, excluded from the Asia Cup squad, has played five ODIs, with his last appearance in March 2022 against Australia.

Shan Masood’s inconsistent performance led to his omission, while Ihsanullah is currently undergoing rehabilitation due to a bowling elbow injury, monitored by the PCB’s medical panel.

The team will gather in Hambantota on August 18, with players from Pakistan departing on August 17. A three-day camp will take place at the National Cricket Academy, Lahore, on August 14, 15, and 16 for the players in Pakistan.

The squads were finalized through discussions between the national men’s selection committee, comprising Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn, and Hassan Cheema (secretary), in consultation with Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Players participating in the Lankan Premier League and The Hundred will directly join the squad in Sri Lanka on August 18.