PCB announces Pakistan squad for Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODI Series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the Asia Cup and the ODI series against Afghanistan has been announced, Faheem Ashraf, Tayyab Tahir, and Saud Shakeel, who performed well in Test matches, were also included in the team.

According to the media reports, Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq made the announcement of the 17-member Pakistan cricket squad for the Asia Cup and the 18-member squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan. Cricketer Saud Shakeel has been included in the squad for the series against Afghanistan, but he is not included in the 17-man squad for the Asia Cup.

The team has been finalized by the national selection committee, including Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, Director Mickey Arthur, and head coach Grant Bradburn, after consultation with Captain Babar Azam.

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18-member squad for the series against Afghanistan: Babar Azam (Captain), Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imamul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Nawaz, Osama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi

17-member squad for Asia Cup: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Imamul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Nawaz, Osama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The selection committee has two changes from the squad that played the five-match ODI series against New Zealand in April-May this year, with Tayyab Tahir and Faheem Ashraf replacing Shan Masood and Ehsanullah. Apart from them, Saud Shakeel has also been included in the squad.

It is to be mentioned here that the all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has returned to the national team after two years. His presence as a fast-bowling all-rounder will add more balance to the team. However, Tayyab Tahir has been included in the ODI squad for the second time. He was earlier included in the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand in January this year.