Pakistan drop Shan Masood for ODI series against Afghanistan and Asia Cup

Islamabad: Pakistan dropped opening batter Shan Masood and recalled allrounder Faheem Ashraf for the first time in two years for the ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup. The left-handed Masood had a below-par home season against New Zealand this year when he scored only 52 runs in four ODIs after the selectors recalled him for the first time in four years. Ashraf, who has taken 28 wickets and scored 1,060 runs in 31 ODIs, last played in the ODI series against England in 2021 but was recalled to add balance to the side as a fast-bowling allrounder. The squads were announced by newly appointed chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq on Wednesday after consulting with team director Mickey Arthur, head coach Grant Bradbrun and captain Babar Azam. Pakistan is due to play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka this month before the Asia Cup begins in Multan on 30 August. After India refused to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup due to political tensions between the two countries, the Asian Cricket Council has chosen Sri Lanka as the other venue for the Asia Cup, where India will play all its games. Pakistan will host four matches while Sri Lanka will host nine matches, including the final on 17 September. An 18-member squad was announced for the series against Afghanistan while middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been omitted from the 17-member team for the Asia Cup. Middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir was also recalled after he impressed during the recent ACC Emerging Cup, where he scored a century against India in the final. Fast bowler Ihsanullah was left out because he is recovering from an injury to his bowling elbow. Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.