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Asia Cup 2016: Pakistan will be eager to get some consistent performances

Pakistan's squad features a very young team and how they cope up in the series will be interesting to watch.

Asia Cup 2016: Pakistan will be eager to get some consistent performances

New Delhi: Shahid Afridi-led Pakistan cricket team will be eyeing consistency when they take on their rivals in the upcoming Asia Cup starting from Ferbruay 24.

Pakistan's squad features a very young team and how they cope up in the series will be interesting to watch. Shahid Afridi, alongside senior players Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez, need to hit the right blocks in guiding the young side from the word go in the coveted tourney.

Pakistan's Twenty20 performances haven't been up to the mark in recent times and saw them lose three series in 2015-16 against the likes of Bangladesh, England and New Zealand.

Winning key situations and performing at a top level will test Pakistan's character on how consistent they can be.

Pakistan's performance in Asia Cup is expected to be more intense given the ICC World Twenty20 to start from March 8.

Pakistan players are currently engrossed in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) and that can rub off as a positive preperation for the Asia Cup.

Pakistan doesn't boast of a settled T20 side or big calibre players like India but their offerings on sub-continent pitches with some fresh faces could be interesting.

The return of tainted pacer Mohammad Amir has been a positive feature. Amir had a good outing in New Zealand and will cherish a tournament like this. Afridi will want Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan to take up the responsibilities in the bowling department.

With Saeed Ajmal being ignored and Yasir Shah suspended by the ICC, Afridi is the only notable name and that's where the onus lies on youngsters to step up.

Pakistan open their campaign against India before taking on hosts Bangladesh.

Pakistan Squad: Shahid Afridi (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, , Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Khurram Manzoor, Rumman Raees.