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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Wednesday, announced the men’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against the Netherlands and the Asia Cup 2022, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali has been dropped from both Pakistan’s squad and pacer Naseem Shah has been picked in the outfit to replace Ali. Notably, Naseem, who has already represented Pakistan in 13 Tests, is still uncapped in white-ball cricket.
Left-arm speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi has been retained in the ODI and T20I squads. However, his rehabilitation programme will decide his return to the international arena.
Further, there will be five changes from the Netherlands ODI squad to the Asia Cup T20 side. The likes of 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.
“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 Hasan has been given a break from international cricket, and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah.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,” said chief selector Mohammad Wasim in a statement.
“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.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vc), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir,
Pakistan squad for Netherlands ODIs:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam ul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Salman Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Zahid Mehmood
