The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, and the biggest talking point is the exclusion of star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Both players have been central to Pakistan’s T20 setup over the past few years, but their omission signals a new direction under the current management. With the tournament set to begin on September 9, the squad will also feature in a preparatory tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE.
Led by Salman Agha, the 17-member squad blends experienced names with promising young talent. The return of Fakhar Zaman after his hamstring recovery boosts the top order, while bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and rising stars such as Sahibzada Farhan promise to bring balance and aggression to Pakistan’s campaign.
Major Exclusions from the Squad
Pakistan has announced its 17-member T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, with two of the country’s biggest names, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, missing out. Both players, who have been the backbone of Pakistan’s batting in recent years, were not included for the continental event or the preceding tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE. Their omission marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s T20 strategy under the leadership of Salman Agha.
Fakhar Zaman Returns After Injury
One positive for Pakistan is the return of Fakhar Zaman, who missed matches earlier in August due to a hamstring injury. Fully recovered, Fakhar brings valuable experience and explosiveness to the top order, something the team management views as critical for the aggressive approach they aim to adopt in the Asia Cup.
Salman Agha to Lead the Side
The squad will be led by Salman Agha, who continues to build his credentials as a leader in the shortest format. His role will be pivotal as Pakistan looks to test new combinations before the Asia Cup begins on September 9, 2025. Alongside him, Pakistan will face Afghanistan and the UAE in the tri-series that serves as a warm-up for the regional tournament.
Babar Azam’s Recent Form Under Scrutiny
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s former captain, last played a T20I in December 2024. In the PSL 2025, he scored 288 runs in ten innings for Peshawar Zalmi, which included innings of 94, 56, and 53. However, his strike rate of 128.57 drew criticism from selectors and analysts who believe Pakistan needs quicker run accumulation in the powerplay overs.
He was also part of the ODI series against the West Indies but managed only 47, 0, and 9 runs across three matches, further raising questions about his limited-overs form. Despite this, head coach Mike Hesson insisted that Babar remains in Pakistan’s long-term T20 plans, provided he adapts his game to modern T20 requirements.
Rizwan’s Struggles Continue
Like Babar, Mohammad Rizwan has also been sidelined from recent T20I squads. Although he made 53 in the opening ODI against West Indies, his subsequent scores of 16 and 0 did little to strengthen his case. The selectors appear to be moving towards a more aggressive top-order approach, and Rizwan’s anchor-style batting has come under scrutiny for slowing down innings in high-paced T20 cricket.
Hesson Defends Selection Decisions
Speaking at a press conference, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson explained the decision to exclude senior players like Babar and Rizwan. He emphasized that while both remain world-class performers, the current focus is on aggressive top-order players who can dominate the powerplay.
“Babar has been asked to improve against spin and increase his strike rate. These are areas he is working hard on. A player like him has opportunities in leagues such as the BBL to showcase his development. He’s too good a player not to consider in the future,” Hesson said.
New Faces Making Their Mark
One standout performer has been Sahibzada Farhan, who has played six T20Is under Hesson and already earned three Player of the Match awards. His explosive batting has made him a natural fit for the aggressive style Pakistan are looking to embrace. Similarly, Salman Mirza, Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker against Bangladesh with eight wickets, has retained his spot, adding firepower to the bowling attack.
Shaheen Afridi Retains His Place
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has also been included in the squad despite having limited opportunities in T20 cricket recently. His pace and wicket-taking ability remain vital, though Pakistan will once again be without Naseem Shah, who continues to participate in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars’ pacer Ahmed Daniyal misses out despite showing promise, while specialist wristspinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem have been retained to add variety in spin-friendly UAE conditions.
Pakistan’s New T20 Strategy
Hesson reiterated that Pakistan’s T20 strategy is built around an aggressive, top-heavy batting approach. He pointed to Pakistan’s performances across different conditions in recent months—flat tracks in Lahore, low-scoring pitches in Bangladesh, and high-scoring games in the Caribbean—as evidence that the formula works.
“Our top order sets the game up. When they perform, we win. In the West Indies, our openers put on a stand of 138, which is the kind of start we need. T20 cricket is about staying ahead of the game, and that’s the brand of cricket we’re committed to,” Hesson explained.
Asia Cup Preparations Begin with UAE Tri-Series
The UAE tri-series will serve as Pakistan’s final preparation ahead of the T20 Asia Cup 2025, a tournament they have never won. The team last reached the final in 2022, only to fall short against Sri Lanka. With fresh faces, an aggressive mindset, and Salman Agha’s leadership, Pakistan hopes to rewrite history this time.
Pakistan Squad for UAE Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025
Pakistan’s 17-member squad for the UAE tri-series and the Asia Cup 2025 will be led by Salman Agha. The team includes a balanced mix of batting, bowling, and all-round options with Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem making up the rest of the lineup.
FAQs
Why were Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped from the Asia Cup squad?
The selectors want a more aggressive batting approach in T20 cricket. Both players were left out to give chances to hitters with higher strike rates.
Who is leading Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025?
Salman Agha has been named captain of the 17-member squad. He has impressed the management with his leadership skills and consistent performance.
Has Fakhar Zaman returned to the team?
Yes, Fakhar Zaman has fully recovered from his hamstring injury. His return adds explosive firepower and stability to Pakistan’s top order in the Asia Cup.
Which fast bowlers are part of the squad?
Shaheen Afridi leads Pakistan’s pace attack with Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. Young pacer Salman Mirza also retained his spot after impressive recent form.
When will the Asia Cup 2025 begin?
The T20 Asia Cup 2025 will kick off on September 9 in the UAE. Pakistan will use the UAE tri-series beforehand as their main preparation.
Conclusion
The exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan highlights Pakistan’s changing approach in T20 cricket ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. With Salman Agha at the helm, the squad looks set to embrace a more aggressive style. The return of Fakhar Zaman and the presence of Shaheen Afridi strengthen the side, while fresh talent promises excitement. Pakistan now aims to break its title drought in the T20 Asia Cup.
