Karachi: Pakistan has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup set to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with Salman Ali Agha named as captain. The squad also includes prominent players like Fakhar Zaman, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.

In a surprising move, senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out of the lineup. Their last appearance in this format was in a series against South Africa in December 2024.

The Pakistan team will participate in a tri-series with the UAE and Afghanistan from August 29 to September 7. The Asia Cup will follow, with Pakistan placed in Group A alongside Oman, India, and the UAE.

Pakistan has a history of success in the Asia Cup, having won the tournament twice before. The team will hope to replicate past successes under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha.

The tri-series will be held in Sharjah, with matches against Afghanistan and the UAE scheduled before the final on September 7. The Asia Cup will kick off for Pakistan on September 12 against Oman in Dubai.

The full squad includes Salman Ali Agha, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.