Pak vs Aus: Spin-bowling allrounder Asif Afridi, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris included in Pakistan’s limited-overs squad

KARACHI: On Thursday, Pakistan announced two surprising additions to their limited-overs teams for the upcoming one-day international and T20 matches against Australia.

Following outstanding performances in the recently finished Pakistan Super League (PSL), Asif Afridi, a little-known spin-bowling allrounder, and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris were brought in.

In the T20 event, the 35-year-old Afridi claimed eight wickets in five matches for Multan Sultans.

Haris, 20, batted and bowled well for Peshawar in the PSL, scoring 166 runs at an impressive strike rate of 186.5.

“This is a reward for the hard work and consistent performances by Afridi and Haris in the domestic circuit,” Pakistan’s chief selector Mohammad Wasim said in a statement.

The three-match one-day international gets underway on March 29, with the second and third games set for March 31 and April 2, respectively.

The ODI series is part of the World Cup Super League, which serves as a qualifier for the 2023 World Cup, which will be held in India.

Rawalpindi will host the lone T20 International on April 5.

In all formats, Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam.

The limited-over matches are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering changing the venue to Lahore, with a decision anticipated in the coming days.

Australia is now playing a three-match Test series in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years, after initially declining to visit due to security concerns.

After the first two Tests at Rawalpindi and Karachi, the series is locked at 0-0. On Monday, the third match will begin in Lahore.

ODI squad

Babar Azam (capt), Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

T20I squad

Babar Azam (capt), Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

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