Pakistan: On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the teams for both the ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023. The teams were unveiled at a press conference in Karachi by the recently appointed chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who previously presided between 2016 and 2019.

Babar Azam will serve as the captain of the Pakistani teams in both tournaments, and Shadab Khan will serve as his assistant. The team management showed its confidence in Faheem Ashraf, who returned to the side for both series while Shan Masood and Ihsanullah were dropped from the side.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released the teams for both the ODI series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup 2023. The teams were unveiled at a press conference in Karachi by the recently appointed chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who previously presided between 2016 and 2019. 

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Babar Azam will serve as the captain of the Pakistani teams in both tournaments, and Shadab Khan will serve as his assistant. The team management showed its confidence in Faheem Ashraf, who returned to the side for both series while Shan Masood and Ihsanullah were dropped from the side.

Thus, Ashraf's inclusion as Pakistan gears up for the crucial ODI World Cup in India, did come as a surprise. The all-rounder's performance is still a concern, but former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal thinks Ashraf now has a chance to establish himself as the first choice for the starting XI.

“The Indian white-ball team is never complete without Hardik Pandya. He is there every time an Indian team is announced in white-ball cricket. You look at his record, he has won matches for his team with both, bat and ball. It is time Faheem Ashraf also starts to perform like him,” said Akmal on his official YouTube channel.

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“It has been so long now, he has to show some maturity. I want Faheem Ashraf to be a surety in Pakistan's white-ball team whenever it's announced yet. He has to develop himself as all-rounder. He has to show that responsibility.”

In addition, Akmal emphasized that Ashraf must live up to the confidence placed in him by repaying the support demonstrated by his selection to the squads.

“It's a big thing for him that the team management, the coach, Babar, and even Inzamam bhai, who has just arrived, have all shown faith in him. He doesn't have noteworthy performances of late, in domestic cricket as well as in PSL. Despite that, they're showing confidence on him and it's time he does justice to it,” said the former wicketkeeper.

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