The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the 15-member squad for the 19th Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. Qasim Akram, a 20-year-old all-rounder, has been appointed as the captain of the team, marking a significant milestone in his cricket career. Assisting him in leadership responsibilities is Omair Bin Yousuf, who will serve as the vice-captain.
Qasim Akram’s elevation to captaincy comes after his noteworthy performances, including leading Pakistan in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2022. He expressed his excitement about this role, citing his dream performance against Sri Lanka as an example of his capabilities.
The squad features several prominent players, including Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Khushdil Shah, Aamir Jamal, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Hasnain, and Usman Qadir. The decision to field a second-string team for the Asian Games aligns with Pakistan’s focus on the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The Shaheens, Pakistan’s ‘A’ team, have showcased their prowess in recent tours to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Australia. While they clinched victory in the unofficial Tests against Zimbabwe, the limited-overs series saw them face a 2-4 defeat. Their triumph in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup, where they defeated arch-rivals India in the final, underscores their potential.
The tournament’s format ensures that Pakistan’s entry into the quarter-finals takes place on October 3 and 4. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled for October 6 and 7 respectively, with the Bronze medal match also set for October 7. Pakistan’s Men’s team previously participated in the Asian Games in 2010, securing a bronze medal.
The squad
Qasim Akram (c), Omair Bin Yousuf (vc)- Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Arshad Iqbal, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Mirza Tahir Baig, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Rohail Nazir, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Qadir
Non-traveling reserves
Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Imran Jr, Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi, Mubasir Khan
The Pakistani team, under the leadership of Qasim Akram, aims to make a mark in the Asian Games and showcase their cricketing prowess on the international stage.
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