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Pakistan recall Faheem Ashraf for Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs
Follow UsShan Masood, who was made ODI vice-captain in January this year, has been left out
Pakistan have called back all-rounder Faheem Ashraf for the three-match One-Day International series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka and the Asia Cup. Meanwhile, Shan Masood, who was made ODI vice-captain in January this year, has been dropped.
The fast-bowling all-rounder hasn't played an ODI since July 2021. In 31 ODIs, Faheem has picked up 23 wickets at an average of 46.08 and scored 218 runs @ 11.47.
"Preference has been given to Faheem Ashraf, since the squad doesn't have another allrounder. 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," said the new chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.
This is Inzamam's first assignment as the new selector. Apart from Masood, Pakistan have also left out Haris Sohail and Ihsanullah, who were all part of the set-up that played New Zealand in May.
Talking about Masood's exclusion, Inzamam said: "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."
Shakeel has insane numbers in Test cricket but has only played five ODIs, scoring 67 runs at an average of 22.33. The 27-year-old is part of the 18-man squad for the Afghanistan series but hasn't been included in the Asia Cup squad.
Tayyab Tahir, who smashed a stunning century in the final of the emerging Asia Cup against India, has also been included in both squads. The 30-year-old has featured in three ODIs but hasn't done much in those games.
The Men in Green will play three ODIs against Afghanistan on August 22, 24 and 26 before starting their Asia Cup campaign against Nepal in Multan on August 30.
Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel (Afghanistan series only), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim.