Asia Cup 2023: Three cricketers under 25 years of age who are expected to win Pakistan the trophy

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The Asia Cup 2023 is set to kick off from August 30 in Multan. Hosts Pakistan will lock horns against Nepal in the opening contest in Multan. However, due to the hybrid model being followed after India's denial to travel to Pakistan, nine of the 13 matches will be held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan reluctantly agreed to the hybrid model but they have a point to prove. Winning the title under these circumstances would be a massive moment in the history of Pakistan cricket. They would be aiming to give a strong statement to the BCCI before travelling to India for the World Cup 2023 from October 5.

In this article, let's have a look at three Pakistan players who are under 25 years of age and can have a serious impact on Pakistan's campaign at the Asia Cup 2023.

Shadab Khan: The 24-year-old all-rounder from Mianwali will be giving the balance to the team. He is the only genuine all-rounder in the team. Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz have also been named in the squad as all-rounders but none have the potential like Shadab.

He is a right-hand batter and a leg-spinner par excellence. He has played a total of 57 ODI matches and scored 670 runs at an average of 29.13 and a strike rate of 81.80. On a very difficult batting surface in Hambantota and against Afghanistan's world-class spinners, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer for his team on Tuesday. He scored 39 off 51 balls and bowled a maiden over which fetched him a wicket as well. He has 74 ODI matches to his name which he has picked at an average of 32.50 and an economy rate of 5.12.

Naseem Shah: The 20-year-old right-arm pacer is making all the right noises in world cricket at the moment. He was on fire during the 2-Test series against Sri Lanka before breathing fire for Colombo Strikers. In the second innings of the second Test, Naseem displayed a reverse-swing bowling masterclass for the ages. In the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023 as well, on spin friendly surfaces, he picked 10 wickets in seven matches at an average of 19.40 and an economy rate of 7.32. In the first ODI against Afghanistan, ahead of the Asia Cup 2023, he bowled five overs for just 12 runs and one wicket. He has played nine ODIs till date and picked 24 wickets at an average of 14.91 and an economy rate of 4.58.

Shaheen Afridi: The left-arm pacer is the most prestigious jewel of Pakistan team and their pace bowling line-up. His opening burst is dreaded by the best batters and batting line-up in the world. India were at the receiving end of it during the T20 World Cup 2021 when he picked the wickets of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.

The 23-year-old looked set to breathe fire on slow Sri Lanka surfaces. He has played 37 ODI matches and picked 72 wickets at an average of 23.40 and an economy rate of 5.47. In the first ODI against Afghanistan on Tuesday, he bowled four overs, nine runs and two wickets. These three players combined have the potential to win the Asia Cup 2023 for Pakistan.