In the early hours of Tuesday, the Pakistan Shaheens squad comprising 15 members will embark on their journey from Lahore to Colombo, where they will participate in the highly anticipated Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 23 and promises exciting cricket action.
Under the captaincy of talented wicket-keeper/batter Mohammad Haris, the Shaheens will commence their campaign against Nepal on July 14. Subsequently, they will face UAE ‘A’ and India ‘A’ on July 17 and 19, respectively. Placed in Group ‘B’, the team aims to secure victories and advance to the semi-finals alongside the top two teams from Group ‘A,’ consisting of Afghanistan ‘A,’ Sri Lanka ‘A,’ Oman ‘A,’ and Bangladesh ‘A.’
To prepare for the tournament, the Shaheens squad underwent a rigorous six-day training camp at Lahore’s esteemed National Cricket Academy. Head coach Mohammad Masroor and his support staff supervised the camp, ensuring that the players were in top form and well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
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Defending their title as the champions, the Shaheens will showcase their skills with a formidable lineup that includes seven Pakistan senior internationals. Among them are Arshad Iqbal, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Tayyab Tahir, who will contribute their valuable experience to the team’s success.
Expressing his confidence, captain Mohammad Haris stated, “We are ready for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. We won’t let the pressure of being defending champions affect us.” Haris commended the players for their unwavering commitment and dedication during the training camp. He emphasized that the team has thoroughly prepared, taking into account the conditions they will encounter in Sri Lanka. Having previously visited Sri Lanka, the players are familiar with the challenges they may face and are ready to overcome them.
Shaheens squad
Omair Bin Yousuf, Amad Butt, Arshad Iqbal, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Tayyab Tahir.
While the focus remains on the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, it is worth mentioning the growing popularity of online gaming among the Pakistani community. Online gaming has become a thriving and engaging activity, capturing the attention of passionate gamers throughout the country. As the Shaheens represent Pakistan in the tournament, they will undoubtedly draw support from the vibrant online gaming community, adding to the excitement surrounding Pakistan sports.
