Pakistan has added the young seamer Naseem Shah to their limited-overs squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Netherlands and the Asia Cup in UAE. Shah has been added as a replacement for the out-of-form Hasan Ali.
The Pakistan selectors have also retained the fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi in both the squads even after the seamer missed the second Test recently in Sri Lanka due to an injury.
There has been no confirmation on how serious the injury is but chief selector, Muhammad Wasim said Afridi would remain in both squads and will recover under the supervision of the team trainer and physio.
“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,” Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said.
“Hasan has been given a break from international cricket and he has been replaced by Naseem Shah.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,” he added.
“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,” Wasim further said.
The training camp for the selected players will be held from August 6 to 11 during which they will also play two 50-over matches. The ODI series against the Netherlands will be played from August 16 to 21, while the T20 Asia Cup is scheduled in the UAE from August 27 to September 11.
They will face their arch-rivals India on 28th August in Asia Cup. The fans might get to see a total of three India vs Pak contests during the tournament if both the teams qualify for the finals.
Squads:
Pakistan squad for Netherlands ODIs – Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mehmood
Pakistan squad for ACC T20 Asia Cup- Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Khushdil Shah, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir
