Pakistan team announced for Asia Cup and ODI series against Afghanistan

Lahore August 9,
Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq has announced a 17-member Pakistan cricket squad for the ACC Asia Cup and an 18-member squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan.
Saud Shakeel has been included in the 18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan, but he is not included in the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup.
The national selection committee, which includes Inzamam-ul-Haq, team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn, has finalized the team after consultation with captain Babar Azam.
The 17-member Pakistan team for the Asia Cup consists of these players.
Openers. Abdullah Shafiq. Fakhrzaman. Imam-ul-Haq.
Middle order. Babar Azam (captain) Salman Ali Agha. Iftikhar Ahmed. Tayyab Tahir
Wicket-keepers. Mohammad Rizwan. Muhammad Haris.
Spinners. Shadab Khan (vice-captain) Muhammad Nawaz. Usama Mir.
Pace all-rounder. Faheem Ashraf.
Pacers. Haris Rauf. Muhammad Waseem Jr. Naseem Shah. Shaheen Afridi.
Here is the 18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan.
Openers. Abdullah Shafiq. Fakhrzaman. Imam-ul-Haq.
Middle order. Babar Azam (captain) Salman Ali Agha. Iftikhar Ahmed. Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel.
Wicket-keepers. Mohammad Rizwan. Muhammad Haris.
Spinners. Shadab Khan (vice-captain) Muhammad Nawaz. Usama Mir.
Pace all-rounder. Faheem Ashraf.
Pacers. Haris Rauf. Muhammad Waseem Jr. Naseem Shah. Shaheen Afridi.
The selectors made two changes from the squad that played a five-match ODI series against New Zealand in April-May this year. Tayyab Tahir and Faheem Ashraf have been included in the team in place of Shan Masood and Ehsanullah.
Apart from them, Saud Shakeel has also been included in the squad.
Faheem Ashraf has returned to the team after two years. His presence as a fast bowling all-rounder will further balance the team. He last played in an ODI series against England in July 2021.
Tayyab Tahir has been included in the ODI squad for the second time. Earlier, he was included in the ODI series against New Zealand in January this year.
Tayyab Tahir was the highest run-scorer in the Pakistan Cup. He played a key role in the recent 128-run win over India in the ACC Emerging Cup with a century.
Saud Shakeel has represented Pakistan in five ONE-day internationals. He last played an ODI against Australia in Lahore in March 2022, in which The Pakistani team crossed the target of 348 runs and won by six wickets.
Shan Masood has not been able to retain his place due to lack of adequate performance, while Ehsanullah is busy with his elbow rehab under the supervision of the PCB’s medical panel.
The 50-over Asia Cup will begin with a match between Pakistan and Nepal in Multan on August 30. This is the first time since 2008 that Pakistan is hosting a multinational event.
Gaddafi Stadium Lahore will host Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Group B on September 3 and Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on September 5, while the Super Four match between A1 and B2 will also be played in Lahore on September 6.
Before the Asia Cup, The Pakistan cricket team will play an ODI series against Afghanistan, two matches of which will be played in Hambantota on August 22 and 24, while the third and final ODI will be held in Colombo on August 26.
The cricketers in Pakistan will leave for Sri Lanka on August 17. These cricketers will participate in a three-day camp at the National Cricket Academy Lahore from August 14 to 16. Cricketers participating in the Lanka Premier League and Hundred will directly join the team in Sri Lanka on August 18.