Hasan Ali dropped squads for Asia Cup and Netherlands tour

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board announced squads for the ICC World Cup Super League ODI matches against the Netherlands and the T20 Asia Cup, dropping fast bowler Hasan Ali and replacing him with Naseem Shah.

The PCB unveiled a 16-member squad for the three-match series against the Netherlands starting from Aug 16, and a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup which will commence on Aug 27.

Salman Ali Agha, who toured England in 2021 for the ODIs, has also been recalled for the Rotterdam matches.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is recovering from a knee injury, has been retained in the ODI and T20I sides. According to the PCB, his rehabilitation programme will be supervised by the team trainer and physiotherapist, who will also decide on his return to international cricket.

Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim, the management had made only essential changes to the squad.

"Both the competitions are important for us and we have picked our best available players in consultation with the captain and head coach."

Commenting on Hasan, Wasim said the pacer had been given a break from international cricket and he had been replaced by Shah.

"He [Shah] is express fast and can give further impetus to the fast-bowling department, which already has the likes of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani," the chief selector said.

“Salman Ali Agha has been recalled to the ODI side after he performed well in the past two Pakistan Cup tournaments, averaging 40.33 and 48.8, respectively. He also gives Babar Azam an additional bowling option.”

The training camp for the players will be held in Lahore from Aug 6 to Aug 11, during which they will also play two 50-over matches.

The national side will depart for Amsterdam on Aug 12 (Friday), while T20I players will join the squad in Dubai for the T20 Asia Cup on Aug 22.