Pakistan makes last-minute changes in Asia Cup 2023 squad after ODI series against Afghanistan

For quite some time, Pakistan's middle-order has had a huge vacuum to fill. In recent times, their middle order has misfired badly, whether it was against England (2021), Netherlands (2022), New Zealand (2023), or Afghanistan (2023). In the three-match ODI series that concluded on August 26, the Green Brigade's middle order was in disarray in two of the three games. With not much time left in the Asia Cup 2023, the selectors have made some changes.

Saud Shakeel, who did well against Sri Lanka in the Test series last month and played one game against Afghanistan on August 26, has been named in the squad. Notably, the left-hander was selected only for the Afghanistan series. On the other hand, Tayyab Tahir, the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 final hero, has been named as the traveling reserve. The Karachi Kings played three T20I games for Pakistan.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (traveling reserve).

Pakistan players are given relaxation before traveling to Multan

Meanwhile, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will stage the Asia Cup 2023 with Pakistan being the host. The Babar Azam-led side will play one game, that i.e. against debutants, Nepal. Apart from this, three more games will be played in the Asian country. Apart from one Super Four game and three Group Stage games, the entire tournament will be played in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, some Pakistan players have been given permission to join the team on August 28.

"The team management has provided relaxation to the players who participated in the Lankan Premier League. Babar, Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah will travel to Lahore on Sunday and join the side on Monday evening," the press release stated.

"The players will train on Tuesday, August 29, at the Multan Cricket Stadium from 1630 till 1930. Before the start of the session, the Pakistan captain will hold pre-series media conference."