Fast Bowler Shaheen Afridi in Pakistan squad for Asia Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced their 16-member for the Asia Cup 2018. Pakistan will begin their campaign against the winner of the ongoing Asia Cup qualifiers on September 16. Sarfraz Ahmed will lead the side. Sarfraz had also led Pakistan to their Champions Trophy victory in 2017. Pakistan have been placed in Pool A in the six-nation Asia Cup along with arch-rivals India. Pakistan will clash with India in the group stage match in Dubai on September 19.

Pakistan will bank on their in-form batsman Fakhar Zaman in the batting department. Fakhar Zaman had recently become the fastest to reach 1,000 One-day International (ODI) runs, reaching the milestone in just 18 innings. The opening batsman had also become the first Pakistan cricketer to score a double-century in the ODIs. Meanwhile, 18-year-old fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been included in the squad while opening batsman Shan Masood has also received a call-up for the six-nation tournament.