For the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, an 18-man squad has been announced while in the Asia Cup, only 17 players will be part of the squad.

Left-handed batter Shan Masood, who was made the vice-captain in the format earlier this year, and Ihsanullah are the notable absentees from the squad that played New Zealand in the five ODIs in April and May, IANS reported.

The 29-year-old Ashraf played the last of his 31 One-Day Internationals (ODI) 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.

Inzamam-ul Haq holds a press conference to announce the squad for upcoming Asia Cup, in Lahore on Wednesday. AP

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

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.

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

"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's squad for Afghanistan series and Asia Cup: Babar Azam (captain), 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