Pakistan has always been one of the strongest sides in World Cricket and the Men in Green have performed exceptionally well, especially in white-ball cricket. The team has got some world-class talents in their team, who has produced some match-winning performance for the team in the big matches.
Men in Green has been one of the most improved teams in recent times, as their batters have scored runs all around the world, with their pace attack being one of the most lethal groups in the International, which their seamers clocking above 140+ regularly.
Babar Azam led side has done well in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, where the team made a brilliant comeback to make it into the final before losing to England. Let’s have a look at their possible Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023.
1. Openers – Imam-ul-Haq And Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman made a brilliant comeback to International scenes following a good Pakistan Super League. He was also the highest run scorer for the Men in Green in the New Zealand series and led Pakistan’s batting against the Blackcaps to chase down a target of 337 with an individual score of an unbeaten 180. The 33-year-old is one of the underrated openers in ODI cricket and he will look to continue his fine form going into the Asia Cup 2023.
Imam-ul-Haq has proven himself to be a match-winner for the Men in Green in ODI matches. The Left-handed opener had a prolific season in 2022 with the bat in ODIs, scoring 505 runs in eight matches at an average of 72.14, and had a decent outing with the bat against New Zealand in the recent ODI series. The left-hander’s rise is good news for Pakistan as he can be a dangerous man at the top of the order alongside Fakhar Zaman
2. Middle Order Batters – Babar Azam (C), Iftikhar Ahmed, And Mohammad Rizwan (WK)
Babar Azam is the number-one ODI Cricketer in the world over the years. He was Pakistan’s highest run-getter with 679 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 84.87 in 2022 and will look to continue his fine form going into the important white-ball season. Babar has a total of 30 hundred in all formats of cricket in International cricket, with over 59.17 average in 50 over format.
The 28-year-old will also have a huge test in his captaincy skills as they will play Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023 later this year, as his gameplay and captaincy will be crucial for their team in the ICC events.
Iftikhar Ahmed was named as the replacement player in Pakistan’s ODI team for the ODI series against New Zealand the experienced has performed consistently well for the team in white-ball cricket and he will look to make full use of the opportunity to make it into the ODI World Cup later this year and he will be challenged by Salman Ali Agha for that spot in the team
Mohammad Rizwan can anchor the innings and score runs at a brisk pace has made him one of the most valuable players for the team in recent times. The Right-handed batter’s recent form for the Men in Green has been exceptional. The 31-year-old would be a crucial member of the team in Asia Cup 2023.
4. All-Rounders – Shadab Khan And Mohammad Nawaz
Shadab Khan would be one of the most integral players for Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup. The right-handed batter is one of the specialist players on the team as he can contribute to the team’s success with both bat and ball and the Men in Green will rely on him for runs at the backend of the innings. The Right arm leg spinner can be lethal with bowling, especially in the sub-continental wickets which would assist the spinners.
Mohammad Nawaz is a dependable all-rounder in the Pakistan team. The Left-arm batter has already shown what he is capable of with the bat playing some crucial knocks against high-quality opponents like India and New Zealand and can be a handy bowler for Pakistan in Asia Cup and ODI World Cup later this year.
5.Spinner – Usama Mir
Usama Mir is one of the most improved bowlers for Pakistan in recent years. The 27-year-old is certainly among the brightest stars of Pakistan’s domestic cricket and made his way into the team.
Mir has taken 10 wickets in six ODI matches with an impressive economy rate of 5.29 and the spinner is on the verge of making it into the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup. He can be handy with the bat lower order the batting playing vital cameos in the end over of the innings.
6. Fast Bowlers – Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, And Naseem Shah,
Shaheen Afridi has been among the best fast bowlers in the world since his debut for the national team. The Left arm pacer can be lethal with the new ball for the Men in Green and can also hit some huge sixes toward the end of the innings.
Haris Rauf is arguably the fastest bowler in the world and can be an important part of Pakistan’s team against Asian heavyweights India and Sri Lanka. The impressive youngster Naseem Shah can take up the role of the third pacer in the team and the 20-year-old has proved his worth against some of the biggest names in the business in international and franchise cricket.