Pakistan name 15-member squad for Asian Games 2023, uncapped all-rounder Qasim Akram to lead

Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the team's squad for the upcoming 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The tournament is slated to occur from September 23 to October 8.

Marking a significant stride in his career, Qasim Akram, the 20-year-old all-rounder, has been entrusted with the captaincy of the team. With a notable record of 20 first-class matches and 40 T20 appearances under his belt, Qasim's leadership skills were demonstrated on the grand stage when he led Pakistan in the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2022. 

Expressing his enthusiasm, Qasim humbly stated, "I gave a dream performance" while reflecting on his record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka.

Assisting Qasim in his captaincy duties will be the uncapped batter Omair Bin Yousuf, who has been named the vice-captain of the squad. Drawing parallels with their Indian counterparts, Pakistan have opted for a second-string team for the Asian Games in light of the impending ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

Among the prominent players in the Pakistan squad are Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Khushdil Shah, Aamir Jamal, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Hasnain, and Usman Qadir. 

The Shaheens, Pakistan's 'A' team, recently displayed their mettle in tours to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Australia. While they clinched victory in the 'unofficial' Tests against Zimbabwe, the limited-overs series saw them concede a 2-4 defeat. Their triumph in the ACC Men’s Emerging Asia Cup, where they overpowered arch-rivals India in the final, attests to their capability.

With the tournament format dictating their entry at the quarter-final stage on October 3 and 4, the Shaheens are poised to deliver a compelling performance. The semi-finals and finals, set for October 6 and 7 respectively, are bound to witness nail-biting encounters. The Bronze medal match is also scheduled for October 7. Pakistan's Men’s team has participated in the Asian Games once, securing a bronze medal in the 2010 edition held in Guangzhou.

Pakistan Shaheens 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, Usman Qadir.

Non-traveling reserves: Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Imran Jr, Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi and Mubasir Khan.