Asia Cup 2018: Pakistan Cricket Board Shortlist 18-Member Squad

An 18-member Asia Cup 2018 squad from Pakistan has been shortlisted by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (August 30). Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is the chief selector of the board made the announcement.

While talking with the media, the former skipper of Pakistan said that both Mickey Arthur and Sarfraz Ahmed were consulted before taking a much-awaited decision.

Pakistan Cricket Team is performing in an Army academy, and the camp will shift to Gaddafi Stadium Lahore. The camp will commence from September 3 and the last day of the camp will be on September 10.

The former skipper of Pakistan, Azhar Ali is the notable absentee from the squad. Azhar Ali, who was a protagonist in the Champions Trophy final of 2017 against India faced an axe soon after that.

In a surprise bid, the opening batsman of the team, Shan Masood found his name in the list. Imad Wasim, who was away from the side from around one year now faced the similar fate as that of Masood.

From the bowling point of view, Junaid Khan joined the team. Bowling Mohammad Nawaz is another bowling all-rounder in the list apart from Wasim. Considering the pitches of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the move is understandable.

The Men in Green will start the journey of the Asia Cup 2018 on 16th of September. They will play the first match with the qualifier.

Pakistan will lock horns with India on 19th September.

The 18-member Asia Cup 2018 squad announced by Pakistan Cricket Board is as follows:

Openers:

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imamul Haq
3. Shan Masood

Middle-order Batsman:

4. Muhammad Hafeez
5. Babar Azam
6. Shoaib Malik
7. Asif Ali
8. Haris Sohail
9. Sarfraz Ahmed

Spinner:

10. Shadab Khan

Bowling All-rounders:

11. Mohammad Nawaz
12. Imad Wasim

Fast Bowlers:

13. Hassan Ali
14. Usman Khan Shinwari
15. Muhammad Amir
16. Junaid Khan
17. Shaheen Shah Afridi
18. Faheem Ashraf