LAHORE: In addition to uncapped Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris, Pakistan has released the squads for three one-day international matches and one T20I game against Australia.
The selectors have selected left-arm spinner Asif and wicketkeeper/batsman Haris due to their impressive performances on the domestic circuit. Asif took eight wickets in five matches for Multan Sultans in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League, while Haris scored 166 runs in five games for Peshawar Zalmi at an impressive strike rate of 186.5.
In the ongoing Pakistan Cup, Haris has already scored 219 runs in seven matches at an average of just under 44 for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Asif has picked up eight wickets in seven matches for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with an economy-rate of 4.39.
Haris was named in the Pakistan squad for the home series against New Zealand but the series couldn’t be played at the time as the Kiwis returned home on the day of the series opener.
Mohammad Nawaz, who had withdrawn from participation in the Test series for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy due to a foot injury, has been drafted in the side for both the ODI and T20I formats. However, his selection in the playing line-up will be subject to fitness test.
While the selectors have picked up 20 players for the ODIs, which are being played as part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League; they have chosen 17 players for the only T20I, leaving out Abdullah Shafique, Imam-Ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel.
The players will assemble in Lahore on 22 March and will undergo a three-day room isolation following which they will be allowed to integrate with the national side.
Australia are ranked No.3 in ODIs, while they are the reigning T20 world champions, whereas Pakistan is ranked sixth and third in the 50-over and 20-over formats, respectively. In the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, Australia are seventh and Pakistan ninth. Top seven ranked sides and hosts India will qualify directly for the ICC World Cup 2023 which will be staged next year in October/November.
