Faheem Ashraf, an all-rounder, has been added back to a strong Pakistan team for the three-match series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup that will follow. This was revealed by coaches on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old played his last of 31 one-day internationals in England in July 2021, but top selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said his efforts were good enough for him to be picked.
In Lahore, Inzamam said, “We chose 18 players for the Afghanistan series and 17 for the Asia Cup. Ashraf was the best pace bowling all-rounder we had.”
Babar Azam will be in charge of the team the whole time.
Sri Lanka will host the ODI series against Afghanistan on August 22, 24, and 26. The Asia Cup will run from August 30 to September 17.
India won’t let its team cross the border to play in the Asia Cup, so Pakistan will only host four games. Sri Lanka will host the other nine games.
Saud Shakeel is also back on the team after a year away, but he will only play in the Afghanistan match.
Shan Masood, the former vice captain, was unlucky not to make the team, and pacer Ihsanullah was also not chosen because he was hurt.
On Monday, Inzamam was named top selection. He said he hoped the players would get enough practice before the World Cup, which will be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
“We chose players with the World Cup in mind, and we hope the team will bring honor to the country,” he said.
Pakistan’s team for the Afghanistan series and the Asia Cup is led by Babar Azam, and it includes Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayya