No #SarfarazAhmed And ShanMasood In Pakistan’s #AsiaCup2023 Squad

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Afshar Iqbal
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Pakistan will participate in the #AsiaCup2023 and the #PAKvsAFG ODI series without both #SarfarazAhmed and #ShanMasood and so, here is a look at a few takeaways from the country’s squads that were announced yesterday by chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Read: #AsiaCup23: A Look At Pakistan’s Possible Squad

Pakistan Drop #SarfarazAhmed & #ShanMasood From The #AsiaCup2023 & The #PAKvsAFG Series

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At least for now, the prospect of Shan Masood and Sarfaraz Ahmed playing the #ICCODIWC2023 that is scheduled to be played in India later in the year, seems to be over as the selection committee opted for the likes of Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir and Mohd. Haris for the next two ODI series. Saud Shakeel after an impressive performance during the recently concluded #PAKvsSL Test series also found a place but for the series against Afghanistan only. The complete squad for both series is as below.

Babar Azam (capt), 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 (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim 

Read: Babar Azam & Mickey Arthur To Stay, Inzamam Named Chief Selector

Where Did The Selectors Impress?

Saud Shakeel, #PakvsAfg #ICCODIWC23, #AsiaCup2023 #SarfarazAhmed #ShanMasood
Image Source: AFP/ Cricket Pakistan

The fact that the new selection committee adopted a policy of consistency by allowing more opportunities to players who had recently played in the ODI format is a decision worth praising. The inclusion of Saud Shakeel is also a good decision as he plays spinners well and thus, can be an asset in Indian conditions. However, that’s only possible if he is somehow able to settle himself down in the ODI format.

Read: Why Inzamam-ul-Haq Should Be Pakistan’s Next Chief Selector

Where Did The Selectors Go Wrong

Shan Masood, Mohd. Wasim, #PAKvAus Shaun Tait Yousuf, Babar Azam Abdullah Shafique,, Shan Masood, Shoaib Malik, #T20WorldCup2022 #PakvEng Series, #PakvsEng, #T20WorldCupFinal, Multan Test #PakvsEng, 1st #PAKvNZ ODI, SLCPXIvPAK, #PakvsAfg #ICCODIWC23, #AsiaCup2023 #SarfarazAhmed #ShanMasood
Image Source: www.espncricinfo.com

Persisting with Abdullah Shafique who has yet to come of age in the ODI format and dropping Shan Masood who has a better record comparatively makes little or no sense whatsoever. Zaman Khan on the other hand is one of the best death bowlers around. Hence, selecting Faheem Ashraf ahead of him is certainly another mind-boggling decision and one that Pakistan will hopefully reconsider when they announce their squad for the world cup.

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