Asia cup 2023: Faheem replaces Nawaz in Pakistan's Playing XI for Bangladesh clash

Lahore: Mohammad Nawaz has been replaced in Pakistan's playing XI for their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s match against Bangladesh by fast bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf on Wednesday.

According to the details, Faheem Ashraf, who made his ODI return in the recently-held ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, managed to make a cut to Pakistan’s Playing XI for their first Asia Cup 2023 Super 4s fixture.

Pakistan's playing XI includes captain Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, who serves as Azam's deputy.

The Pakistan and India matchup during the Asia Cup 2023 group stage was the two teams' first ODI matchup since the 2019 World Cup. Cricket fans' plans to see the eagerly anticipated match, however, were complicated when the game was canceled due to heavy rain.

After splitting the points with archrival India, the hosts Pakistan, who kicked off their Asia Cup campaign with a thumping 238-run victory over Nepal in the curtain-raiser, became the first team to advance to the next round.

Pakistan was ready to take on either Bangladesh or Afghanistan after their Super 4s qualification.

However, Bangladesh's 89-run victory over Afghanistan the following day listed them a good chance to advance to the Super 4s.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan's final group-stage encounter at the present Asia Cup will determine the fate of both teams in the competition.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka set Afghanistan to chase 292, courtesy of a brilliant 92-run knock by wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis.

But Afghanistan will need to chase down the total in 37.1 Overs to pip Lanka to qualify for the Super 4s.

It is worth mentioning here that when this story was filed Afghanistan had raised 120/3 in 18 overs with Rahmat Shah (45) and Hashmatullah Shahidi (36) set on the crease.