Pakistan have announced an 18-member squad for an ODI series against Afghanistan and Asia Cup 2023. Here’s the full squad of the Asian cricket giant, including players list, injury news, reserves and replacements.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection panel headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq announced an 18-member squad for a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka between August 22 and 26. The same group will be curtailed to a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 starting on August 30.

The squad is headed by Babar Azam, whose exploits in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) have taken the cricketing world by storm. Chasing 189, Azam scored a scintillating hundred for Colombo Strikers, stretching his T20 century tally to a record 10. Only Chris Gayle has more T20 centuries than him (22) in this format. Revered by many, the stylish batter will look to continue his purple patch with the bat.

Babar’s deputy Shadab Khan is also eyeing a fruitful Asia Cup 2023, expecting vital support from premier wicketkeeper-batter Mohamad Rizwan.

A star-studded, power-packed Pakistan pace-battery is one of the leading attraction points of the tournament. A pace-arsenal led by Shaheen Shah Afridi with able support from Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Naseem Shah will look to send shivers down the opposition’s spine.

Saud Shakeel has been rewarded with a spot in the Afghanistan series for red-hot Test form in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka. However, he hasn’t been named in the Asia Cup 2023 squad.

Meanwhile, pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been recalled for the showpiece event after a gap of two years. His last outing for the Men in Green was versus England in 2021.

Left-hand batter Shan Masood and pacer Ihsanullah have been axed after featuring in five ODIs against New Zealand this year.

Drawn in Group A, Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Nepal on August 30. Players are expected to fly to Hambantota on August 18 after a three-day camp in Lahore, joined by their colleagues featuring in LPL and the Hundred.

Pakistan squad at the 2023 Asia Cup: Full team list

Batters

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, Tayyab Tahir.

Wicketkeeper

Mohammad Rizwan

All-rounders

Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Nawaz.

Bowlers

Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir.