Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced the squads for the Asia Cup and the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. The squad was announced by chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq at a press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Shan Masood, who took over as vice-captain at the beginning of the year in the absence of Shadab Khan, has been dropped from the team. Saud Shakeel, who scored a double century in the Test against Sri Lanka, has returned to the ODI format but will be available for selection only in the Afghanistan series.
Saud made his ODI debut in 2021 against England and last played a 50-over game against Australia in March last year. Most recently, he scored a match-saving double century for Pakistan in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Due to his impressive performance, he was recalled to the national ODI team. Faheem Ashraf, who last played an ODI in 2021, also made it into the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series and the Asia Cup.
Inzamam told reporters, ‘The previous management gave opportunities to Shan Masood, but he could not perform well. Meanwhile, Saud has done really well so we decided to give him a chance.
Saud made his ODI debut in 2021 against England and last played a 50-over game against Australia in March last year. Most recently, he scored a match-saving double century for Pakistan in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. Due to his impressive performance, he was recalled to the national ODI team. Faheem Ashraf, who last played an ODI in 2021, also made it into the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series and the Asia Cup.
Inzamam told reporters, ‘The previous management gave opportunities to Shan Masood, but he could not perform well. Meanwhile, Saud has done really well so we decided to give him a chance.
Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Shadab Khan (Wicket-keeper), Abdullah Shafiq, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Saud Shakeel (Afghanistan Series only), Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahin Afridi, Tyeb Tahir, Osama Mir