Azhar Ali the notable absentee as PCB picks players for Asia Cup training camp

E-Paper | April 27, 2026

The national selection committee on Thursday announced an 18-member training camp for the 2018 Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 15-28.

The Inzamamul Haq-led committee made the announcement after consultations with head coach Mickey Arthur and captain Sarfraz Ahmed.

The week-long camp will take place from September 3 to September 10 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

The most notable absentee from the camp was former captain Azhar Ali, whereas Shan Masood and Imad Wasim — both of whom have not played for Pakistan in almost a year — have been recalled to the camp.

Pakistan will face arch-rivals India in Dubai on September 19.

Players picked for training camp

Fakhar Zaman
Imamul Haq
Shan Masood
Muhammad Hafeez
Babar Azam
Shoaib Malik
Asif Ali
Haris Sohail
Sarfraz Ahmed
Shadab Khan
Muhammad Nawaz
Imad Wasim
Hassan Ali
Usman khan Shinwari
Muhammad Amir
Junaid Khan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Faheem Ashraf

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M1 Jamal

Aug 30, 2018 06:30pm

Imad Wasim, who is on his back.

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M. Saeed

Aug 30, 2018 06:37pm

Why has Azhar been dropped?

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Irfan

Aug 30, 2018 06:54pm

What - Shan Masood?? Who is even slow for a test match; has been considered for ODIs. What kind of parchi does he have which is valid in even naya Pakistan.

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Aug 30, 2018 06:58pm

He is got a test cricketer strike rate.

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Rahshid KHAN

Aug 30, 2018 07:03pm

Good selection overall, not sure about Shan Masood though given that he hasn't done much with his numerous chances at test level.

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Shahbaz

Aug 30, 2018 07:07pm

I thought Hafeen announced retirement !

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wsyed

Aug 30, 2018 07:32pm

Hussain Tallat showed good skills, mistake to overlook his potential.

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Adeel

Aug 30, 2018 08:17pm

1 Azhar should have slotted straight back into the playing 11. Very strange he wasn't selected 2 No need to select imad wasim. The one day team is well balanced. 3 Shan Masood , another parchi guy and unnecessary selection when u already have 3 openers. 4 Rest of the team is Fine.

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Jaredlee67

Aug 30, 2018 08:40pm

No wonder he can't run fast

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Khalid

Aug 30, 2018 09:41pm

Pakistan needs stable opener like azhar ali. He played so well last year in champions trophy

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Riaz

Aug 30, 2018 09:53pm

Azhar Ali is not good for T20 and one day cricket.

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Sarah

Aug 30, 2018 10:09pm

Azhar Ali is better than Shan Masood in any format.Shan Masood should not be selected in any format till he shows consistency in cricket.

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Fez

Aug 30, 2018 10:15pm

Cricket is boring and bland without Wasim and Waqar. It's just not cricket.

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Pak-UK

Aug 30, 2018 10:48pm

How can you leave Hussain Talat out and bring in likes of Shan Masood? What has he done in so many chances given to him?

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Usman

Aug 30, 2018 11:09pm

Shan Masood & Hafeez no more required

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Pakistani

Aug 30, 2018 11:22pm

What about Yasir Shah? Is he unfit?

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naqi

Aug 30, 2018 11:31pm

Shan masood? Seriously?

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 31, 2018 12:44am

It's better for Azhar Ali to concentrate on test cricket, which is his specialty and expertise. Based on his good performance in test cricket, he might be recalled for ODI cricket as well.

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Philosopher (From Japan)

Aug 31, 2018 01:10am

Whyhafeez again? Please spare this nation.

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optimist

Aug 31, 2018 01:17am

Shan Masood has never played any ODI matches, his test performance has been dismal. He is just taken as a player from Karachi to show the chief selector cares for Karachi too. Shan will be dropped before the team leaves to play against Australia. The chief selector dropped Azhar Ali and picked Shan Masood so there will be no problem for Imam ul-Haq. Imam is yet to be tested against top teams, he is no Saeed Anwar or Aamir Sohail

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samira javed

Aug 31, 2018 03:05am

It is so disappointing to see that Hafeez is picked up again for asia cup. He is in his late 30s and we all know that he has no potential to perform at this level. I can't believe that despite constant poor performance he keeps coming back. Is it due to his personal close relationship with sarfaraz ??

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Farhan

Aug 31, 2018 06:20am

Inizimam must be removed as chief selector before he causes more damage to Pakistan cricket. During his captaincy he almost single handedly ruined Pakistan cricket but filling the team with his favorites including the Akmals. Before that he was implicated in match-fixing in the 1990s. How can a corrupt person with a penchant for nepotism be the chief selector?

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Varuna MS

Aug 31, 2018 06:55am

Still Hafeez and shoib mallik???

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Ali Inc

Aug 31, 2018 10:48am

Why?

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Aug 31, 2018 12:11pm

They should have given a shot to Sameen Gul as well. I mean anyone is better than Haris Sohail.

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Sarai Alamgir

Aug 31, 2018 07:46pm

@Farhan You obviously don't follow Pak cricket, it was due to young blood inducted by Inzi that Pak have seen a resurgence in ODI/T20. Shans inclusion is justified, as he was the leading run getter in the recent domestic season. I am more worried about the recall to Imad Wasim, who's place will he take, all in all, its a good dilemma to have, leading up to the WC.

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Fakher

Aug 31, 2018 11:28pm

Shan Masaud isn't even fit for test.....Even Azhar Ali isn't fit to play one day, but here reason to drop him is very obvious as Inzimam wants to promote Imam ul Haq so he has to drop opener to create space for Imam. This is how things work in Pakistan be it the old one or new.

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Fakher

Aug 31, 2018 11:33pm

Inzimam have to adjust Imam ul Haq and he was seeing Azhar potential threat, so for that reason Azhar is dropped. Although Azhar is himself not fit for one day, Shan Masaood plays so slow that he is even not fit for modern test team but he's selected to justify Imam in playing 11 and he will only be watching matches from side line bench......Nothing changes even if it be old Pakistan or new.

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Sep 01, 2018 06:51pm

It would be great if PM of Pakistan brings home international cricket. Asia Cup would be an appropriate begining. Do it .

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MYRESPONSE

Sep 02, 2018 01:26am

There is no sense in continuing with Sarfaraz as skipper when so many cricketers are against him. Recently Kamran Akmal has openly given statements against him. I'm sure there are many more. In the best interest of Pakistan Cricket the new administration should take the necessary steps to fix this kind of problems by taking action against Kamran Akmal his supporters to eradicate dirty politics of group bandi.

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FAIRVIEW

Sep 02, 2018 11:12am

Hussain Talat would have been a better choice.

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