Pakistan Cricket Team |
Pakistan currently is occupying second place in the ICC ODI rankings whereas Australia is leading the table.
Afghanistan will play host to Pakistan in Sri Lanka from August 22 to 26. The first two matches are scheduled in Hambantota on August 22 and 24, with the final ODI set to take place in Colombo on August 26.
Afghanistan vs Pakistan ODI Series 2023 |
If Pakistan manages to secure a 3-0 victory over Afghanistan in the upcoming three-match series this month, they could potentially rise to the top spot in the ODI rankings.
The Pakistan team is set to gather in Sri Lanka on August 17, engaging in training sessions on August 19, 20, and 21.
Historically, Pakistan has secured victories in all four of the ODIs played against Afghanistan. Their most recent encounter in this format was during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
Following the ODI series with Afghanistan, Pakistan's focus will shift towards their inaugural Asia Cup match against Nepal, scheduled for August 30 in Multan.
Following the Nepal match, Pakistan will journey back to Sri Lanka for a high-stakes match against their arch-rivals India on September 2 in Kandy.
A total of nine games will be contested in Sri Lanka, culminating in the final match on September 17.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups. One group includes Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, while the other comprises India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
The Pakistan squad selected for the Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs includes players such as Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel (for the Afghanistan series only), Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, and Usama Mir.
Cricket World Cup 2023 Schedule | Teams | Squads |