‘Yeh Faheem Ashraf Kaha se aa gaya’ -Fans react as Pakistan announce squad for Afghanistan series and Asia Cup
The Asia Cup will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The big breaking news is Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup and the Afghanistan series has been announced. Shaan Masood is a notable absentee in the squad. The left-hander was appointed as Pakistan’s vice-captain in the ODI side. The big recall has been Faheem Ashraf. Ashraf has been brought into the side as the backup all-rounder. The Afghanistan series will be played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan recently bulldozed Sri Lanka 2-0 in the Test series.
Pakistan put up a great show in the last edition of the Asia Cup that was held in the United Arab Emirates. The games were held in T20 format. Sri Lanka and Pakistan squared in the final. Sri Lanka played out of their skins in the tournament to be crowned Kings of Asia. India were crowned champions in 2018 when the Asia Cup was last held in the ODI format.
Shaan Masood is still part of our plans – Inzamam-ul-Haq on the left-hander
The team was picked by newly appointed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq who will be serving his second term. Inzamam was the chief selector between 2016-2019. Pakistan won the Champions Trophy in 2017 and had a decent campaign in the 2019 World Cup. “Preference has been given to Faheem Ashraf, since the squad doesn’t have another allrounder,” Inzamam said at a press conference when the squad was announced. “If you look at PSL and other tournaments, we need an allrounder, he is a fast-bowling allrounder, which we need at the World Cup.”
“Shan has performed very well. Unfortunately, his performances have gone down. We have a list of 20-21 players, and Shan is part of that. But Saud Shakeel and a couple of other players were impressive recently, so we have to leave out Shan. But he is a part of our plans.” “Shan has performed very well. Unfortunately, his performances have gone down. We have a list of 20-21 players, and Shan is part of that. But Saud Shakeel and a couple of other players were impressive recently, so we have to leave out Shan. But he is a part of our plans.” Inzamam said, talking about Masood.
Pakistan squad for Afghanistan series and Asia Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
@IftiMania is one of the best selection in ODI.
He will be useful at the end of innning…#PakistanCricket #PakvsAfgan— Ahsan Ali (@engineer_ahsan) August 9, 2023
Overall Good Squad.
They preferred
Haris over Sarfaraz
A Shafiq over Shan
Fahim over Zaman/IhsanOnly Fahim Ashraf Inclusion is strange .
Best of Luck Team Pakistan #PakistanCricket#AsiaCup2023— FAHIM Khaniii Marwat (@Fahimkhaniii) August 9, 2023
I am very happy with the inclusion of @SalmanAliAgha1 and @saudshak, but I do not understand one thing, on the basis of which performance Faheem Ashraf has been given a chance by dropping @shani_official.#AsiaCup2023#CareTakerPM #ShanMasood #Pakistan #PakistanCricket #Cricket pic.twitter.com/uhPUBuAZmh
— k@mi (@KMi13181) August 9, 2023
@TheRealPCB announced the 18 man squad for Asia cup and Afghanistan series. Except Faheem ashraf in the Squad everything looks fine to me?
Definitely need Iman Wasim in the squad for Asian Conditions. 🤨 What do you guys think? #PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2023 #WorldCup— Spencer (@Spencerjiwani) August 9, 2023
Pakistan's squad in Asia cup is seriously very strong and balanced in every department. Now I think this is probably their world cup squad also.#PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2023
— Anubhav Rachit Mishra (@Anubhavm34_) August 9, 2023
Tayyab Tahir after select for afghanistan tour #tayyabtahir #PakvsAfg #PakistanCricket #AsiaCup #HybeApologizeToJimin #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/iAGkbTCJyO
— Haider (@BhaiiiHaider) August 9, 2023
Things are going to heat up again.#Pak_v_Afg#AsiaCup2023#PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/hKEFxkds55
— Omid Khan🏏 (@OmidKhan2k22) August 9, 2023
Faheem Asharaf kindly consider this as your last chance😬#AsiaCup2023 #BabarAzam𓃵 #Pakistan #PakistanCricket
— 🇵🇰 (@istannpct) August 9, 2023
Rana Faheem Stokes#AsiaCup2023 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/eqI7D1fFre
— صالح (@salehhh1997) August 9, 2023
Sir Shan Masood right now.#PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/aagHa2HACx
— Hashir Khan (@hashir215) August 9, 2023