Pakistan have always been one of the strongest sides in the cricketing world who’ve given it their all to win every competition that they’ve participated in. The team consists of some world-class players who’ve delivered top-notch performances for their side during crucial circumstances.
The team under the leadership of Babar Azam since last one year has become absolutely invincible winning matches with lot better consistent performances on a regular basis. Other young players in the team have also started to perform their tasks regularly and live up to their worth so as to help their side register several memorable victories, especially in the shorter formats, T20Is.
The team will be desperate to have the upper hand against several teams in the upcoming Asia Cup too and thereby bag a third Asia Cup title in their history. It’s time for us to have a look at their possible Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2022.
1. Babar Azam (c)
Babar Azam will be leading Pakistan in the Asia Cup for the first time in the 2022 edition. With his incredible consistency and classical performances in the shortest format of the game in the recent past, he has earned himself the first position in ICC men’s T20I batting rankings.
The right-hander is in fine form currently and has shown good signs with the bat in the PSL too. His amazing versatile style of batting will be of great use to Pakistan to get off to a fine start in every game and counter every bowling line up.
2. Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan is a certain candidate to form an opening pair with his skipper Babar Azam in the Asia Cup. The right-hander was in red hot form during the 2021 world cup with close to 280 runs in 6 T20I innings in the tournament’s last edition.
Just like his captain, he too has delivered amazing consistent performances in T20Is recently with the bat and has got the ability to demolish any bowling lineup in the world. He is ranked second in the ICC T20I batsmen’s rankings and will have a vital role to play for Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2022.
3. Fakhar Zaman
Known for his aggressive intent and attacking approach against any bowler, Fakhar Zaman has been a great addition to Pakistan’s limited overs side right since his debut. The left handed batsman has amassed runs with a fine strike rate of more than 130 in his T20I career so far.
With over 1200 T20I runs in his career till he will be a major part of the Pakistani lineup for the Asia Cup for sure.
4. Asif Ali
Next in the lineup is a certain Asif Ali who has been a major cog in the Pakistani batting lineup in the recent past. With his incredible big hitting and finishing abilities, Asif has won several matches to his side all by himself.
The right-hander has an invincible strike rate of 133 in his T20I career so far and has been handy to his side with the bat in the last few overs.
5. Khushdil Shah
Khushdil Shah is another major game changer in Pakistan’s middle order who can be of great use to the side in the Asia Cup. He has the calibre to smash the ball to long distances in the death overs and also provide some crucial overs with the ball as per the demands of the situation.
His all-round performances in the domestic T20 matches have been glorious and this is what might provide him with a chance to find a place in Pakistan’s Asia Cup XI.
6. Iftikhar Ahmed
Another prominent all-rounder with the ability to hit the ball hard and bowl a good spell with the ball, Iftikhar Ahmed is certainly going to be part of Pakistan’s middle order in the Asia Cup.
His T20I strike rate of 134.2 in particular is something which the opponents shall have to fear. His finishing touches are going to be really crucial for Pakistan just in case he makes it into the XI in the Asia Cup.
7. Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan has achieved great heights in his short international career so far. Despite being just 23 years old, he has evolved to be one of the most prominent members of his side.
His performance both with the bat and ball has earned him the name of being the most impactful all-rounder for his side in the recent past.
With a fine strike rate of 136.7 in his T20I career so far, Shadab has been fantastic with the bat in the death overs. 73 wickets in 64 T20I games also speak loads about his bowling calibre and justify his spot in Asia Cup XI.
8. Usman Qadir
Another spinner, Usman Qadir has shown some good signs with the ball for Pakistan in recent times. The leggie has the ability to deceive the batsmen with a decent amount of pace in his deliveries.
The skipper might look forward to watching the left armer perform similarly in UAE during the Asia Cup too.
9. Haris Rauf
Next in the Bowling line up shall feature Haris Rauf. The right arm pacer has the ability to bowl regularly at speeds of 145 kmph and above. He was fantastic for Pakistan in the T20I World Cup last year.
He has been in brilliant form in terms of picking wickets besides choking the runs towards the death overs also. He will be an important asset for his side in case he gets picked in the playing xi of the Asia Cup.
10. Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali will certainly be another major member of Pakistan’s pace battery in the Asia Cup 2022. With his wonderful pace and variations, the right arm has evolved to be a wonderful T20I bowler.
Although he has been a bit expensive on certain occasions with the ball, he has got the ability to change the momentum in his side’s favour with wickets at any time of the innings.
11. Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi who’s been arguably one of the greatest rising stars in the world of cricket recently. He will surely be the most important part of that Pakistani bowling lineup. His fiery spell against India in the 2021 world cup was proof of his amazing talent.
His ability to swing the ball incredibly in the early stages of the innings and also choke he runs in the death overs will come to Pakistan’s rescue for sure making him one of the most significant players in Pakistan’s Asia Cup playing XI.
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