Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan make bizarre change to squad, swap reserve players

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Pakistan have made a last-minute change to their Asia Cup squad on Saturday (August 26). The PCB announced the latest tweak in their squad just four days before their opener against Nepal.

Saud Shakeel has been brought into the squad. The middle-order batter was not a part of the initial 17-member squad, but he has now been drafted into the main roster for the Asia Cup. Along with him, Tayyab Tahir has been named as the reserve player for the tournament, who initially was part of the Asia Cup squad.

"Pakistan have made an addition to their squad for the Men's ODI Asia Cup 2023. Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel has been added to the 17-member squad. Tayyab Tahir, the right-handed batter, will remain with the side as a travelling reserve," a statement from PCB read.

Shakeel was initially not part of the Pakistan squad for the Afghanistan series as he was the 18th member of the team. But the batter played one match and managed to score 9 runs against Afghanistan. Tahir, on the other hand, didn't get a game in the series.

Saud, 27, has played 6 ODIs for Pakistan so far and has managed 76 runs at an average of 19. On the other hand, Tahir has yet to play an ODI match for Pakistan.

The Babar Azam-led side is set to reach Multan on Monday (August 27), where they will play Nepal in the inaugural match of the Asia Cup this year.

Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2023

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (reserve player)