A closer look at Pakistan’s 6 pace bowlers for the Asia Cup 2018

Earlier this week the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee announced the name of 16 members who will be a part of Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2018. Sarfaraz Ahmed will be the man leading the other 15 players in their quest to win the trophy.

The ICC has allowed each team to announce 16 players rather than the usual 15, keeping in mind the weather in UAE. The hot and humid conditions can lead to illnesses or injuries, and therefore teams will be cautious in overexerting their players. This will especially be the case when it comes to pace bowlers.

6 out of the 16 players announced by the PCB are pace bowlers. It is interesting to note that Pakistan will bank more on their pace-strength rather than spin bowling strength. By not selecting Yasir Shah or Imad Wasim for the series, they’ve made a point that their part-time spinners will be enough.

Full squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Afridi.

Most of the pace bowlers chosen for the tournament are quite young. Let’s take a closer look at each one’s accomplishments.

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#6 Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan finds a place in the squad

The oldest of the lot at age 28, Junaid Khan is still quite young and fresh. Junaid first came to the limelight after his selection for Pakistan’s squad at the ICC World Cup 2011. The man has the ability to bowl with pace and his ability to cut and swing the ball at will has made him a part of the squad.

Junaid Khan has faced many ups and downs in his career and has been in and out of the team many times. Junaid has usually been successful against Sri Lanka, and that could be one of the reasons why the selectors have chosen him for the squad.

Though he’s no longer the selectors' first pick for the starting eleven, he has gotten the chance to prove himself once again after an impressive PSL and domestic performances in 2018.

#5 Usman Khan Shinwari

Shinwari is still very new

6 ODIs and 11 T20Is deep, Usman Khan is still new to international cricket. At age 24, he has a lot to prove and needs to justify his selection in a squad which has the top players in each department.

He made his ODI debut in the UAE against Sri Lanka and showed promise. In only his second match against the team, he dismantled the entire top-order to claim his maiden five-for. Later on, in the T20s against the same side, he managed to pull off more impressive performances.

Though the youngster needs to improve on his game, chances against top teams like India and Sri Lanka will surely boost his morale and career. Will he be able to destroy the Lankans once again?

#4 Fahim Ashraf

Ashraf is the only real fast bowling all-rounder in the squad

Riding high on Pakistan Super League performances, Fahim Ashraf has proven that he’s international cricket material. As an allrounder, Faheem Ashraf has been selected to perform the services that Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mehmood were famous for.

After a gutsy knock of 64 off 30 balls against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy warm-up match, fans were sure they’ve found their next Razzaq. He didn’t get to play many matches in the Champions Trophy but has remained a regular since.

Against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi, Faheem Ashraf became the first ever Pakistani bowler to claim a Twenty20 international hat-trick. Known to be a power-hitter and for his medium-fast bowling, Ashraf seems to be a promising young talent who shares the Pakistani pace bowlers' love with Sri Lankan batsmen’s wickets.

#3 Mohammad Amir

Amir wants to turn his doubters into believers

The only bowler in the line-up who needs no introduction. Amir is still young, fast and exciting. Even though he constantly deals with comparisons of his younger self and that he has lost out on a lot of the steam that once troubled the batsmen to make them sweat.

Unlike the bowlers mentioned before him, Amir has preferred a relationship with Indian batsmen’s wickets. He showed this in a losing effort against India in the Asia Cup 2016, and then again in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Final win in 2017.

All eyes will be on Amir as he is yet again expected to lead the Pakistani bowling line-up in the absence of Yasir Shah and Wahab Riaz. Being the most experienced bowler, he can perform well to silence his critics once again.

#2 Shaheen Shah Afridi

Tall, fast, and fit for the job

At 6 ft 6 in, the tall paceman is also the youngest of the lot. He first gained attention in Pakistan in 2017 for his ability to bowl over 90mph and for his pinch-hitting in the lower order. The Pakistan Super League served as a platform for him to showcase his talent.

Afridi has only played 4 T20Is and is yet to make his ODI debut. He could be on his way to a debut soon as the tournament begins. After an impressive T20 showing against West Indies, Sarfaraz and Mickey Arthur will be waiting to see what he can do in 50-overs cricket.

At 18 years of age, Afridi has a chance to perform well against Pakistan’s biggest rivals India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and justify his early selection in the squad.

#1 Hasan Ali

The entire team will be led by Hasan Ali's aggression

The backbone of Pakistan’s bowling since 2017,Ali took his first five-wicket haul in ODIs against Australia on 22 January 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. He currently has the best ODI bowling average among Pakistani fast bowlers who’ve played more than 20 matches.

He’s been an explosive bowler and wicket taker who has lethal deliveries in his arsenal. With almost all the variations that a fast bowler can have, Hasan Ali has been the top wicket-taker for Pakistan on multiple occasions. He was one of the main reasons for their success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

At age 24, Ali is destined for great things. If he continues his past performances in the Asia Cup matches, there is no doubt that winning will be easier for the Men in Green.