On August 9th Pakistan’s new chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq unveiled the squad for Asia Cup. This time the Asia Cup will be played in a One-Day format.
This year’s Asia Cup will commence on 30 August 2023 from Multan which will host the game between Pakistan and Nepal.
It will also be the first-ever Asia Cup to be hosted by multiple countries—also, the first-ever tournament to be hosted in Pakistan after the terror attacks in 2009.
Coming on to the squad for Asia Cup announced by Pakistan. Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup includes Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi.
Analyzing the squad
Overall the squad looks pretty solid with the top three of batting already in form and they have indeed the best bowling attack of this tournament.
The surprise inclusion of Faheem Ashraf indicates that they may reward him with a ticket to the World Cup in India if he performs well here.
Also read:- Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 Probable Squad: A Mix of Experience and Youth
Ihsanullah and Shan Masood are the two who have missed out on the squad, remember these two were included in the previous one-day series against New Zealand.
Ihsanullah is reportedly injured, he is undergoing a rehab program because of an injury to his bowling elbow.
Batting
This squad for Asia Cup includes six batters and two wicket-keepers with three all-rounders boosting the batting. Pakistan’s team’s captain is currently playing in the Lanka Premier League judging the conditions.
Three of their batters are in the top five batting rankings for ODI which includes Babar Azam (at 1), Fakhar Zaman (at 3), and Imam-ul-Haq (at 4). These three batters are also the top three batters in the Pakistani lineup with Imam and Fakhar opening and Babar coming at one down.
These three initially hold the key to success for Pakistan. That’s why the gurus of cricket say this top order is the best full order since Pakistan started playing ODIs.
Middle-order and lower-order are top class too with Iftikhar, Salman, Tayyab Tahir, and Muhammad Rizwan or Muhammad Haris.
All-rounders like Shadab Khan, Muhammed Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf will also come in handy.
Bowling
Fast bowling attack including Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and the maestro Shaheen Shah Afridi can not be overlooked.
Read here:- Scandalous Secrets: Unveiling the Sinister Department Behind Pakistan Cricket’s Epic Downfall (2003-2015)
With Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, and Muhammad Nawaz controlling the spin attack Pakistan will rely a lot on them.
Salman Ali Agha can also turn it a bit. It will also be worth knowing with which bowling attack Pakistan will go into the Asia Cup.
Faheem Ashraf will be useful with the bowl and with the bat if given a chance.
Will they go with three seamers and three spinners (including Salman Ali Agha) is the real question here. This question will be answered by the management on August 30 in Multan.
Conclusion
Overall this squad for the Asia Cup is the best squad Pakistan could have picked. With batting also full of stars as well as bowling it’s now on to them how much they put effective efforts.
Yes, they are a few surprising inclusions and exclusions which bring a lot of questions to the table. The exclusion of Shan Masood who was nominated as the vice-captain for the series against New Zealand doesn’t bring any answers with it.
We are looking forward to the Asia Cup so as you are, bring out your thoughts on the squad using the comments section below.
Also read:-
