Pakistan’s cricket team has unveiled a 17-player roster for the impending Asia Cup in the UAE, notably excluding veteran players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for both the preceding UAE tri-series and the main continental tournament.
The selection includes seasoned campaigners like Fakhar Zaman, recovered from a recent hamstring ailment, along with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Faheem Ashraf. Emerging talents such as Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris will also seek to make their presence felt, International Cricket Council report said today.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup journey commences with a tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan from August 29th to September 7th in Sharjah. The eight-nation Asia Cup, scheduled from September 9th to 28th, places Pakistan in Group A alongside Oman, India, and the UAE.
The team”s group stage matches include clashes against Oman on September 12th, arch-rivals India on September 14th, and the UAE on September 17th, all in Dubai. The Super Fours stage will take place from September 20th to 26th in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, culminating in the final on September 28th in Dubai.
Pakistan has a rich history in the Asia Cup, having participated 15 times and lifting the trophy twice – in 2000 under Moin Khan and in 2012 under Misbah-ul-Haq. The complete squad comprises Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.