PCB announces squad for Afghanistan series, Asia Cup 2023

PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has announced their squad for Asia Cup 2023 and their preceding ODI series against Afghanistan. With this, they have become the first participating team to announce their squad for the continental tournament. At this point, the defending champions, Sri Lanka, former champions, India, three-time finalists, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and debutants, Nepal are yet to do so.

Meanwhile, talking about the Pakistan squad, Abdullah Shafique is the second-choice opener alongside Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq. In the middle order and all-rounders' slot, the likes of Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel, and Faheem Ashraf have been selected only for the ODI series against Afghanistan. The series will be played between August 22 to 26.

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2023 and Afghanistan series

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq

Middle order: Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir and Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Haris

Spinners: Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir

Pace all-rounder: Faheem Ashraf

Pacers: Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi 

"The squad has been finalised following consultations between the national men’s selection committee – which also includes Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Hassan Cheema (secretary) – and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.

Player participating in Lankan Premier League and The Hundred will join the squad directly in Sri Lanka on 18 August," in a note written in PCB's official release.

🚨 Our squad for the Afghanistan series and Asia Cup 🚨

Read more: https://t.co/XtjcVAmDV7#AFGvPAK | #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/glpVWF6oWW

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 9, 2023

Pakistan Schedule in Asia Cup