Pakistan made five changes for Siri Lanka
Fakhar Zaman has been unexpectedly removed from Pakistan’s squad for their important Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Fakhar has released struggles maintaining consistency during the Asia Cup, scoring 61 runs at an average of just 20.33, with a top score of just 27.
Fakhar has not scored much during the Asia Cup, but he did help with three successive ODI centuries against New Zealand at the beginning of the year, and he is currently placed inside the top 10 of the MRF Tyres ODI Batter Rankings.
In one of five changes Pakistan has confirmed for their important Super Four face against Sri Lanka in Colombo, the left-hander has been replaced by youngster Mohammad Haris.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been left out with Fakhar due to a trio of injuries, including those to Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha (eye).
Ashraf’s direct replacement is fellow all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, while Naseem and Rauf’s unavailability enables Mohammad Wasim and Zaman Khan to partner with pace ace Shaheen Afridi and show their ability to bowl.
While Sri Lanka simply needs to avoid losing to qualify, Babar Azam’s team needs to defeat Sri Lanka to guarantee its place in this year’s Asia Cup final match against India.
Pakistan cricket squad in Asia Cup final
Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam ©, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan
