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With the dates, venue, and teams all decided, the 2022 Asia Cup is all set to take place in August-September. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan already have their spots fixed while Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuwait, and the UAE will battle out in the qualifier for the sixth spot.
India are the most successful team in the tournament with seven titles and are also the defending champions. The Men in Blue will walk in as the top favourites having recently conquered England in their backyard. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka sit second on the list with five titles. Pakistan have also been decent so far in the tournament with two titles and will enter as second favourites.
As India and Pakistan don’t play bilateral series anymore, fans look really excited to see a battle between the arch-rivals which will take place on 28 August. Having defeated India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan have an upper hand but India looks like a changed side with Rohit Sharma rallying the troop pretty well. Although the squads for both teams are not yet announced, the expected squad for Pakistan may feature most of the players from the T20 World Cup 2021.
Here is a look at Pakistan’s predicted playing XI for Asia Cup
1. Babar Azam (c)
Babar Azam, with his consistency with the bat, is all set to lead the Men in Green and open the innings for the team at Asia Cup. The right-handed batter is ranked No.1 in T20Is as well as in ODIs, which shows his dominance in white-ball cricket at the moment. Azam was also among the runs in Pakistan Super League.
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Having amassed 281 runs in 6 innings at the 2021 T20 World Cup (which was also held in the UAE), the wicketkeeper batter is a sure-shot candidate for the second opening slot, alongside Babar Azam. Rizwan is also the second-ranked T20I batter and the reason has been improved performances since his comeback. The wicketkeeper batter is a vital cog in Pakistan's batting lineup which he showed at the T20 WC.
3. Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman, ever since his debut in white-ball cricket, has been reckoned as an aggressive player who likes to take on the opposition. The southpaw had also looked in brilliant touch at the T20 World Cup and piled up runs in the Pakistan Super League. Zaman has amassed 1253 runs in 59 innings in T20Is and strikes them at 131.62. Thus, he finds a place in the XI.
4. Asif Ali
Having played blinders at the T20 WC, Asif Ali has shown what capability he possesses with the bat. The right-handed batter boasts of a strike over 145 in 232 T20s. His knock of 25* (7) against Afghanistan at the World event was an example of how dangerous Ali can be when he is on the song.
5. Khushdil Shah
Khushdil Shah is another great prospect in the Pakistan middle order. The all-rounder can hit the ball to long distances and can also chip in with some overs. Shah has scored around 200 runs in 13 T20Is. In 103 T20s, the all-rounder has 2006 runs and 24 wickets. So, Shah can also feature in Pakistan Playing XI for Asia Cup.
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
A genuine all-rounder with an ability to chip in good economical overs, Iftikar Ahmed will get a nod ahead of others for the Asia Cup. Ahmed has over 3000 runs and 34 wickets to his name in 161 T20s. He has been in Pakistan's scheme of things lately and can also be included for the Asia Cup.
7. Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan has risen to ranks over the years and is only getting better with time. The leg-spinner has now evolved into a fine all-rounder, making him a great asset for the captain. In the Pakistan Super League, Shadab was also among the runs and played some match-winning knocks. Thus, he will definitely be in the XI.
8. Usman Qadir
Having scalped 24 wickets in 18 games so far at an average of 16.41 at an economy of 7.57, Qadir can come in handy on UAE pitches. The leg-break bowler can bowl at a decent speed and can deceive batters with his variations. Therefore, captain Babar Azam will surely look to have someone like Qadir in the team.
9. Haris Rauf
The right-arm quick can consistently clock 145+ and also has a good yorker. Rauf had a great outing at the T20 World Cup and thus finds a place in the playing XI. Rauf claimed three wickets against arch-rivals India and bowled brilliantly in the death overs to stop the run flow. A similar performance will be expected from him at the 2022 Asia Cup by his captain.
10. Hasan Ali
With loads of experience and enough variations in the bag, Hasan Ali will be a vital cog in Pakistan’s quest to win the 2022 Asia Cup. Ali has been consistent with wickets in white-ball cricket. Although the right-arm quick is a bit expensive, he can change the momentum with big wickets. So, he is going to be in the XI.
11. Shaheen Afridi
The left-arm pacer is counted among the best for his ability to produce peach of deliveries (like he did against Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the T20 World Cup). Not only occasional jaffas but Shaheen Afridi can consistently hit a length which makes him really dangerous. His ability to swing the ball both ways will come in handy early in the innings.
