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Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad

Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad

Observera day ago
Lahore, Pakistan: Pakistan left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad named Sunday for the Asia Cup and a warm-up tri-series beginning this month against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Azam and Rizwan have been star performers in the shortest format in the past but have not played since December, which head coach Mike Hesson put down to other players performing well.
"We know what a fine player Babar (Azam) is," said Hesson.
"Babar has been asked to improve in certain areas, like taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate and he is working hard on these things.
"The players we have are performing well and having a positive impact," said Hesson.
Since Hesson took over as head coach in May, Pakistan have played three T20 series -- winning 3-0 at home but losing 2-1 away to Bangladesh. They then beat the West Indies 2-1 in the United States.
"Our focus is to win the tri-series and the Asia Cup and the aim is to peak from these pinnacle events," said Hesson.
All-rounder Salman Agha will lead the side which also sees the return of fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza.
Mirza took seven wickets in Bangladesh but was left out of the squad against the West Indies.
Opener Fakhar Zaman also returns after being injured for a one-day international series in the West Indies last week, which Pakistan lost 2-1.
The tri-series, which starts on August 29, and the Asia Cup from September 9 will both take place in the UAE.
Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim
— AFP
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Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad
Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad

Observer

timea day ago

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Azam, Rizwan left out of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad

Lahore, Pakistan: Pakistan left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad named Sunday for the Asia Cup and a warm-up tri-series beginning this month against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. Azam and Rizwan have been star performers in the shortest format in the past but have not played since December, which head coach Mike Hesson put down to other players performing well. "We know what a fine player Babar (Azam) is," said Hesson. "Babar has been asked to improve in certain areas, like taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate and he is working hard on these things. "The players we have are performing well and having a positive impact," said Hesson. Since Hesson took over as head coach in May, Pakistan have played three T20 series -- winning 3-0 at home but losing 2-1 away to Bangladesh. They then beat the West Indies 2-1 in the United States. "Our focus is to win the tri-series and the Asia Cup and the aim is to peak from these pinnacle events," said Hesson. All-rounder Salman Agha will lead the side which also sees the return of fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza. Mirza took seven wickets in Bangladesh but was left out of the squad against the West Indies. Opener Fakhar Zaman also returns after being injured for a one-day international series in the West Indies last week, which Pakistan lost 2-1. The tri-series, which starts on August 29, and the Asia Cup from September 9 will both take place in the UAE. Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim — AFP

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