Handy all-rounder Saud Shakeel has been added to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The left-handed batter has been included in the 17-member squad, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). To note, Shakeel produced the best performance of his life recently against Sri Lanka. The Southpaw went on to hit a double century against the Island Nation in a Test match.
Thanks to his good performance with the bat, Shakeel was given a game during the third ODI against Afghanistan. However, the batter got run out. Making his debut in 2021, the 27-year-old played his last ODI game in March 2022. However, he has been added the Asia Cup squad for now.
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Shakeel made his ODI debut against England in 2021
Shakeel made his international debut for Pakistan in ODI against England at Sophia Gardens on July 8, 2021. While Shakeel managed only five runs on his ODI debut, he grabbed everyone’s attention by scoring a fighting fifty with fans comparing him with Virat Kohli as the batter also looks alike the star Indian batter.
Before playing international cricket at the senior level, Shakeel played for Pakistan U-19s. He represented the Boys in Green at the U-19 World Cup in 2014, where they finished runners-up after losing to South Africa U-19s in the final. Shakeel played in all six matches for Pakistan U-19s, scoring 127 runs. His highest score was 45, while his batting average was around 25.
So far, Shakeel has played ODI matches and scored 76 runs with one fifty to his name which he stroked in his second match. He has a strikes rate of 71.03. With the ball, the left-arm spinner has managed to scalp just one wicket with his economy being 5.37.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Usama Mir
Traveling reserve: Tayyab Tahir
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