The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the lineup for Pakistan’s contingent at the forthcoming Asian Games 2023, in an announcement made on August 24. A notable inclusion is the selection of young all-rounder Qasim Akram as the captain to lead the 15-member squad.
With a promising blend of emerging talents and established stars, the team is poised to shine at the Hangzhou Games set to commence on September 19.
Marking its presence in the 19th iteration of the Asian Games, cricket is set to captivate sports enthusiasts once again. Pakistan’s journey will begin directly from the quarter-final stage, scheduled to kick off on October 3.
To ensure a competitive representation while the senior team partakes in the Asia Cup and ICC World Cup 2023, the PCB has curated a second-string side specifically for the men’s T20I cricket event within the Asian Games.
At the forefront of this dynamic team is the 20-year-old Qasim Akram, a batting all-rounder with a promising trajectory. Qasim’s leadership prowess was previously demonstrated as he captained Pakistan in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2022.
His recent involvement in the ACC Emerging Teams Cup 2023 further underscored his capabilities. Notably, Qasim’s exceptional performance, which saw him secure six wickets against UAE, has etched his name in cricketing memory.
Supporting Qasim in his captaincy role is Omair Bin Yousuf, named the deputy captain. The 15-member squad is a testament to Pakistan’s cricket depth, with eight cricketers boasting international experience. The likes of Asif Ali, Khusdil Shah, Haider Ali, Shahnazwaz Dahani, and Mohammad Hasnain bring a cumulative total of 150 T20I appearances for Pakistan.
Pakistan 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 and Usman Qadir
Non-travelling reserves: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi and Mubasir Khan
READ MORE
Constant focus on Dhoni’s six, Gambhir reflects on 2011 World Cup