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Prior to Pakistan's third One-Day International against Afghanistan on July 27 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Babar Azam made a major error. The captain announced that Saud Shakeel was playing in his first ODI. Shakeel had previously played in five ODIs, and Babar had given the left-hander his first ODI cap back in 2021.
Later, Babar said that he had forgotten that Shakeel had previously played ODI cricket. Shakeel was the one who subsequently informed his captain that it was not his ODI debut.
"I didn't know Saud Shakeel had previously played. Saud responded that it was not his debut when I enquired. Sorry about that. Speaking to Ramiz Raja at the post-match awards ceremony, Babar stated.
In a bilateral series against England in 2021, Shakeel made his ODI debut and notched a 56 at the storied Lord's Cricket Ground. He then participated in two ODIs in Lahore against Australia before being benched once more.
On the strength of his outstanding Test cricket performances, Shakeel returned to the ODI format during the series against Afghanistan. He did so well that the Asia Cup 2023 team decided to include him. Babar praised him for his skillful and effective spin-bowling as well.
"He is in the Asia Cup squad right now, and he is playing spin very well, so that's why he is in," the speaker continued.
In the third ODI, Shakeel made nine runs off six balls before being eliminated by Rahmanullah Gurbaz's direct hit at the striker's end.
Pakistan shifted right-handed hitter Tayyab Tahir into the reserves when they signed Shakeel for the Asia Cup.
