On Sunday, August 17, Pakistan shocked cricket fans by revealing their 15-man roster for the 2025 Asia Cup. The squad sees two stalwarts, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, excluded. Salman Ali Agha will lead the Men in Green as they enter a phase of transition.
The same squad will feature against the UAE and Afghanistan before the Asia Cup begins in the UAE, where Pakistan will aim to defend their title from 2016.
Babar Azam and Rizwan Dropped
Babar and Rizwan, who have served Pakistan cricket for over a decade, will miss out on the Asia Cup. “The selectors have cleared their intention with the futures of Babar and Rizwan,” reports suggest. Both players now face uncertainty regarding their place in the T20 World Cup.
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Babar has struggled with form, going more than 700 days without an international century. Rizwan, with over 100 T20Is under his belt, also appears out of touch with the team. Fans were shocked to see two of Pakistan’s most reliable players sidelined ahead of a major tournament.
Pakistan’s Recent Form
The Men in Green had a disappointing start to the year. They finished last in Group A of the Champions Trophy without a single win. Notably, Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat to India in the UAE, which is also this year’s Asia Cup venue. This performance may have influenced the selectors’ bold decision to drop Babar and Rizwan.
Pakistan will begin its Asia Cup campaign against Oman on Friday, September 12. A high-voltage clash against India will follow on Sunday, September 14. The group stage concludes on Wednesday, September 17, against the UAE.
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According to the tournament format, if both India and Pakistan finish in the top two of Group A, they could meet again in the Super 4 clash on September 21.
Pakistan Asia Cup Squad
The squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) includes: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim.
Selectors have opted for a mix of experience and youth, aiming to stabilize the team after a turbulent season. Salman Ali Agha, appointed captain, will lead a squad tasked with proving Pakistan’s mettle in Asia’s premier T20 tournament.
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