Abdul Samad leads Pakistan Shaheen’s squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar.
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Shaheen’s Big Announcement
Pakistan Shaheens have announced their captain for the Men’s 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup, which will take place between the 19th and 29th of November in Qatar. They enter as reigning champions with a 15-man squad featuring players with experience at the senior international level.
Background
The Shaheens are the reigning T20 and 50-over Rising Stars champions. Their last victory in the 50-over version was back in 2023 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. They beat India A by 128 runs in the final to send a strong message to the rest of the region. This will be the benchmark that this squad will be measured against.
Squad Breakdown
Batsmen
- Hasan Nawaz – Has been selected for Pakistan’s ODI setup for the tri-series recently.
- Haider Ali – A reliable member of the batting line-up.
- Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain – Reliable options in the opening positions.
- Farhan Yousaf and Shahzaib Khan – Both are uncapped players in the squad and will have a big opportunity in this tournament.
Bowlers:
- Mohammad Hasnain – The leader of the attack, he made his ODI debut in 2019.
- Ahmed Daniyal and Akif Javed – Both provide support in the new ball and middle overs.
- Sufyan Moqim – He comes in on good form, having been part of the senior squad in the Rawalpindi leg of the tri-series.
All-rounders & Wicketkeeper
- Mohammad Imran – Made his Test debut against England at Edgbaston in September and played his T20I debut against Sri Lanka last month.
- Saad Masood & Danish Aziz – Provide good balance.
- Rohail Nazir – Former Pakistan Under-19 captain and the only specialist wicketkeeper in the squad.
Key Takeaways:
- There is a lot of experience in the squad, and most have played at senior international level. This will give them an advantage in high-pressure matches.
- There is a good balance of pace bowlers (4) and all-rounders (3), so Samad can adapt to Qatar.
- They have a wicketkeeper issue if Nazir gets injured, as he is the only specialist.
- There are two real talents that can make this tournament a stepping stone to senior cricket – Yousaf & Khan.
- They have a big game against India A in the group stage on the 22nd November which could help them to win Group B and qualify for the semis.
Tournament Data at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Men’s 50-over Rising Stars Asia Cup |
| Venue | Qatar |
| Dates | November 19 to 29 |
| Teams | 8 |
| Captain | Abdul Samad |
| Squad Size | 15 |
| Group B | Pakistan, UAE, India A, Nepal |
| Group A | Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan A, Hong Kong, China |
| Last Final Result | Beat India A by 128 runs (2023) |
Group B Fixtures
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| November 20 | UAE |
| November 22 | India A |
| November 25 | Nepal |
What’s next
The Shaheens will begin their title defence against the UAE on November 20, followed by a match against India A on November 22. The group stage will conclude with a game against Nepal on November 25. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals on November 26 & 27.
FAQ
Who is captain of the Pakistan Shaheens?
Abdul Samad has been named captain.
Where and when will the tournament take place?
The tournament will take place in Qatar between November 19 and November 29.
Are they the reigning champions?
Yes, Pakistan have won the T20 and 50-over versions of the Rising Stars tournament. They won last year’s 50-over version.
Which group are they in?
Group B with the UAE, India A, and Nepal.
When do they play India A?
November 22.
Who are the uncapped players in the squad?
Farhan Yousaf and Shahzaib Khan.
Who is the wicketkeeper?
Rohail Nazir, former Pakistan Under-19 captain.
How many teams will qualify for the semi-finals?
The top two teams from each group (4 teams).
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