Saud Shakeel, the southpaw Pakistani batsman, has been included in the 17-player squad by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2023 ODI competition, which is set to commence on August 30th.
Pakistan accomplished a stunning clean sweep against Afghanistan in the recent ODI series. Led by Babar Azam, the team established their domination throughout the three games, while Afghanistan’s batting performance left much to be desired.
This impressive win is expected to enhance the confidence of the Pakistani team as they look ahead to the Asia Cup. With two Asia Cup triumphs under their belt, they have a great track record in the sport. Their Group A competitors in the six-team event include perennial foes India and newcomers Nepal. The action is due to begin on Wednesday, August 30th, in Multan, when Pakistan takes on Nepal in their opening encounter.
On Saturday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement announcing that Saud Shakeel has been promoted from the list of traveling reserves to the main squad. Meanwhile, Tayyab Tahir, the right-handed batter, will continue to stay with the team as a traveling reserve.
Babar Azam’s team is scheduled to reach Multan this upcoming Sunday, where they’ll enjoy a day of rest following their arrival. The coaching staff has decided to grant a well-deserved break to those players who took part in the Lankan Premier League. On the same Sunday, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, and Naseem Shah will be making their way to Lahore, and they’re expected to rejoin the team by Monday evening.
The squad will then engage in a training session on Tuesday, specifically on August 29, at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The exciting tournament kicks off on August 30, as Pakistan goes head-to-head with Nepal in Multan.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2023 squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Usama Mir.
Traveling reserve: Tayyab Tahir
