Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan announce playing XI for tournament opener

Pakistan have gone heavy on batting depth for their first match of Asia Cup 2023 against Nepal.

With three frontline quicks and three spin-bowling all-rounders, Pakistan aren't short of options in the bowling department either. The team chose to make a few changes from the XI that played Afghanistan in the final ODI in Colombo.

Iftikhar Ahmed slots into the middle-order while Saud Shakeel makes way. There was also no room for pacer Mohammad Wasim with Pakistan opting to go with Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz will be aided by Salman Agha in the spin department.

The batting line-up has a familiar look with Iftikhar coming back into the middle-order after missing the final ODI against Afghanistan.

Pakistan XI: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf.