LAHORE - Pakistan on Wednesday announced its 16-player squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures against the Netherlands from August 16-21 and a 15-member side for the ACC T20 Asia Cup, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates from August 27 to September 11.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been named in both the squads in place of Hasan Ali, while Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has been recalled. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads, and his rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket.
There will be five changes from the Netherlands ODI squad to the ACC T20 Asia Cup side. Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood will be replaced by Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir. For Asia Cup, the teams are divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan and Qualifier (one of UAE, Kuwait and Hong Kong to qualify) while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Addressing a press conference here at the PCB Headquarters on Wednesday, Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim said: “We have only made changes that were necessary. Both the competitions are important for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach. “Hasan has been given a break from international cricket and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah. He is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department, which already boasts Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Naseem has not played any international white-ball cricket, but he has demonstrated with the red-ball that he is an attacking option with good pace and controlled swing. Salman Ali Agha has been recalled to the ODI side after he performed well in the past two Pakistan Cup tournaments, averaging 40.33 and 48.8, respectively. He also gives Babar Azam an additional bowling option,” he added.
The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from August 6-11, during which they will also play two 50-over matches. The side will depart for Amsterdam in the wee hours of Friday, August 12. T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the ACC T20 Asia Cup on August 22.
SCHEDULE
VS NETHERLANDS
Aug 16 1st ODI Rotterdam
Aug 18 2nd ODI Rotterdam
Aug 21 3rd ODI Rotterdam
ACC T20 ASIA CUP
Aug 28 Pakistan v India Dubai
Sep 2 Pakistan v Qualifier Sharjah
Sep 3-9 Super Four Stage
Sep 11 Final Dubai
Fast bowler Naseem Shah has been named in both the squads in place of Hasan Ali, while Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has been recalled. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads, and his rehabilitation programme will be overseen by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket.
There will be five changes from the Netherlands ODI squad to the ACC T20 Asia Cup side. Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood will be replaced by Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir. For Asia Cup, the teams are divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan and Qualifier (one of UAE, Kuwait and Hong Kong to qualify) while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Addressing a press conference here at the PCB Headquarters on Wednesday, Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim said: “We have only made changes that were necessary. Both the competitions are important for us and, as such, we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach. “Hasan has been given a break from international cricket and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah. He is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast bowling department, which already boasts Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani.
Naseem has not played any international white-ball cricket, but he has demonstrated with the red-ball that he is an attacking option with good pace and controlled swing. Salman Ali Agha has been recalled to the ODI side after he performed well in the past two Pakistan Cup tournaments, averaging 40.33 and 48.8, respectively. He also gives Babar Azam an additional bowling option,” he added.
The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from August 6-11, during which they will also play two 50-over matches. The side will depart for Amsterdam in the wee hours of Friday, August 12. T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the ACC T20 Asia Cup on August 22.
SCHEDULE
VS NETHERLANDS
Aug 16 1st ODI Rotterdam
Aug 18 2nd ODI Rotterdam
Aug 21 3rd ODI Rotterdam
ACC T20 ASIA CUP
Aug 28 Pakistan v India Dubai
Sep 2 Pakistan v Qualifier Sharjah
Sep 3-9 Super Four Stage
Sep 11 Final Dubai
