Pakistan Announces 18-Member Squad For The Highly Anticipated Asia Cup 2023. The upcoming Asia Cup 2023 is eagerly awaited by cricket enthusiasts across Asia. Hosted by Pakistan, the tournament will feature an exciting clash among six teams: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Scheduled from August 30 to September 17, Asia Cup 2023 has adopted a 50-over format, allowing participating teams to gear up for the ICC ODI World Cup in October. Babar Azam will lead the Pakistan team in the 16th edition.
Sri Lanka, the reigning champions, triumphed over Pakistan in the final last year. Pakistan aims to secure the trophy this time on their home turf with a robust squad. Let’s take a sneak peek at Pakistan’s anticipated line-up for Asia Cup 2023.
Today PCB announces the 18-Member squad for Asia Cup 2023 and Afghanistan India will face Pakistan on September 2 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s squad boasts an impressive line-up
Openers: Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Azam
Middle Order: Agha Salman, Khushdil Shah, Babar Azam (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, A Shafique
Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Rizwan
All Rounders: Mohammad Nawaz Jr, Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf
Spinner: Usama Mir
Pacers: Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
Also Read: Team India’s Core Squad For Asia Cup 2023 And ODI World Cup
Pakistan Team’s Squad For Asia Cup 2023 and Afghanistan ODIs:
Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar, M Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam Ul Haq, Md Haris, M Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel*, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf.
(Only for Afghanistan ODI)
Babar Azam holds the reins as the skipper of the Pakistan team, leading them into the Asia Cup 2023. Not only the captain, but he also commands the middle-order as a skilled one-down batsman. In the year 2023, his right-handed mastery has translated into a staggering 1104 runs across 17 ODIs, punctuated by 4 centuries and 9 half-centuries.
Complementing Babar Azam in the middle order, the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2023 may feature other notable batters like Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Agha Salman.
Khushdil Shah has notched up 166 runs from 7 ODIs this year, while Iftikhar Ahmed has carved out 132 runs from 4 ODI encounters, including 2 unbeaten innings. Agha Salman brings his batting prowess, accumulating 337 runs from 10 ODIs at an impressive average of 48.14, adorned with 3 half-centuries.
