All-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been recalled to a strong Pakistan squad for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and subsequent Asia Cup.

The 29-year-old played the last of his 31 ODIs in England in July 2021 but chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said his efforts warranted selection.

“We have picked 18 players for the Afghanistan series and one less for the Asia Cup and Ashraf was the best pace-bowling allrounder available to us,” Inzamam said in Lahore.

Babar Azam will lead the squad throughout.

The ODI series against Afghanistan will be played on 22, 24 and 26 August  in Sri Lanka, while the Asia Cup is scheduled from 30 August to 17 September.

Pakistan will host only four matches in the Asia Cup after India refused to send its team across the border, with the remaining nine in Sri Lanka.

Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel is also recalled after a year-long gap but will only be part of the Afghanistan series.

Former vice-captain Shan Masood was unlucky to miss out, while pacer Ihsanullah was also not selected due to injury.

Inzamam, appointed chief selector on Monday, said he hoped players will get a proper tune-up for the World Cup in India from 5 October to 19 November.

“We have selected players with the focus also on the World Cup and hope that the team brings laurels to the country,” he said.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Saud Shakeel (only for Afghanistan series).

© Agence France-Presse