Faheem Ashraf was initially picked ahead of Shakeel for the tournament. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s new chief selector, had said that they preferred Faheem’s all-round abilities over Shakeel’s specialist batting skills. He was only named in the 18-member squad for the Afghanistan series.
The Asia Cup-bound players who played against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka are set to arrive in Multan on Sunday. A PCB release said that Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah will travel to Lahore on Sunday and join the side on Monday evening.
Pakistan are scheduled to play Nepal in the Asia Cup opener in Multan on August 30.
Pakistan Asia Cup squad: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim. Travelling reserve: Tayyab Tahir
