The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28. Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan were omitted from the squad, while Fakhar Zaman will make a comeback after injury.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain and will also lead the side in the tri-nation T20I series in Sharjah against Afghanistan and the UAE, starting 29 August. Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign kicks off on 12 September against Oman, followed by the high-voltage clash with India on 14 September at the Dubai International Stadium.
The announcement confirmed the absence of two Babar Azams and Mohammad Rizwan, who remain out of the T20I setup. The selectors have doubled down on their youth-focused approach, sticking with the core group that featured against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
Squad Salman Ali Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim
From being Poster Boys to Dropped Boys: Babar and Rizwan
For much of the last five years, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been the heartbeat of Pakistan’s T20 side. Together, they formed one of the most prolific opening pairs in world cricket, carrying Pakistan through major tournaments and amassing a loyal fanbase. Both also captained the national side at various stages, highlighting their stature.
Babar’s captaincy record remains unmatched: 85 matches, 48 wins, 29 losses, and a win percentage of 56.47. With the bat, he is Pakistan’s all-time leading T20I run-scorer, holder of the most fifties and boundaries, and among the fastest in history to reach 2,500 runs. He also topped the ICC T20I batting rankings multiple times.
Rizwan, meanwhile, became the face of consistency, combining sharp wicketkeeping with gritty batting at the top. His partnership with Babar between 2020 and 2022 was record-breaking and defined Pakistan’s batting template.
Yet, both have been dropped, a decision driven not by reputation but by current form and adaptability. In modern-day T20 cricket, where strike rates often matter more than averages, Pakistan’s once-reliable anchors are now seen as slowing the team down.
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Babar Azam
• T20 World Cup 2022 (Australia): Averaged 17.7 with a strike rate of 93.2, scoring just 124 runs in 7 innings.
• T20 World Cup 2024: Averaged 40.67 but with a sluggish strike rate of 101.67.
• Asia Cup 2022 (UAE): Averaged only 11.3, one of his poorest campaigns.
Mohammad Rizwan
• T20 World Cup 2024: Averaged 36.67 but struck at just 90.9. His infamous 44-ball 31 against India, chasing only 120, was labelled one of Pakistan’s slowest knocks in history.
• Asia Cup 2022 Final vs Sri Lanka: Top-scored with 55 off 49 in a chase of 170, but his inability to accelerate cost Pakistan dearly.
In today’s high-octane T20 cricket, a 10-ball 20 is often worth more than a 50-ball 50. Pakistan’s reliance on slow anchors has repeatedly backfired at global tournaments.
Reset and Rebuild
Pakistan, under the guidance of head coach Mike Hesson and new skipper Agha Salman, is committed to embracing a modern brand of cricket. With explosive young talents like Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan, combined with the experience of Fakhar Zaman, the team wants to play fearless, attacking cricket.
This Asia Cup will be the first major test of Pakistan’s new identity as they push to re-establish themselves as Asian champions.
Dropped, Not Done? The Future of Babar and Rizwan
Despite being axed, Babar and Rizwan are far from finished. Both have landed big-money contracts in Australia’s Big Bash League. Babar is set to represent the Sydney Sixers, while Rizwan will line up for the Melbourne Renegades.
Strong performances in the BBL could reignite their T20 careers, especially with senior voices like Aqib Javed insisting that “the doors aren’t closed forever.” A comeback for the duo remains possible if they adapt and prove their worth in the modern game.
Pakistan at the Crossroads
For fans, this feels like the end of an era. Babar and Rizwan’s records are legendary, but their regression in T20 cricket has forced the selectors’ hand. Pakistan now stands at a crossroads, betting on youthful aggression over proven stability.
Whether this gamble proves to be a masterstroke of foresight or a costly mistake will be revealed when the green shirts step onto the field in Dubai next month.
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