Asia Cup: Pakistan likely playing XI for first Super 4 match

The Men in Green will face the team that finishes on second spot in Group B, consisting of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq will open the batting, with Babar Azam looking to carry forward his excellent form, as evidenced by his impressive score of 151 against Nepal.

Mohammad Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, will take the number four spot in the batting order.

The fifth and sixth positions will be occupied by Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed, respectively.

Despite being expensive in the match against India on Saturday, Pakistan are likely to stick with their spin-bowling all-rounders, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

The final three slots in the lineup will feature the dynamic fast-bowling trio of Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, known for their fiery pace and ability to unsettle batters. The Pakistani trio scripted history in the aforementioned match against India by becoming the first set of pacers to claim all 10 wickets in an Asia Cup match (ODI).

Pakistan’s expected playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup:

Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi