Pakistan’s cricket board shocked everybody by choosing a 17-member crew for the Asia Cup 2025. Two well-known gamers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, weren’t included.
That is the primary time in a very long time that neither participant might be in a giant event for Pakistan. A younger group was picked, and Salman Ali Agha is in cost.
Wicket-keeper Mohammad Haris stepped in for Rizwan, and many new or much less skilled gamers are on the point of present what they will do. The choice exhibits a giant shift to thrilling, daring cricket, highlighting gamers who rating runs quick.
Coach Mike Hesson mentioned that Babar and Rizwan are nonetheless within the crew’s future plans however have to work on some points, particularly their wrestle with spin and slower scoring charges that don’t match at this time’s T20 recreation. The Asia Cup is from September 9 to twenty-eight within the UAE. Pakistan is with India, Oman, and the UAE in a bunch.
[REPORT] Pakistan’s Shock: Babar & Rizwan Omitted
As quickly because the press launch was out, individuals on social media had been shocked. Pakistan’s cricket followers have all the time seen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as sturdy supporters, so seeing each names gone felt like a giant shock, like a wall falling down immediately.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) mentioned that neither participant has performed in T20 Internationals since December 2024, as they weren’t chosen for the latest collection towards Bangladesh and the West Indies. The 17-player crew has Salman Ali Agha because the captain.
Mohammad Haris would be the wicketkeeper, and Fakhar Zaman is again after his hamstring harm. Quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi leads a bunch of fast bowlers that additionally has Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and younger left-arm bowler Salman Mirza.
The group in cost, led by Aaqib Javed, stored all 15 gamers who gained towards the West Indies 2‑1 not way back. Pakistan will prepare for the Asia Cup with a three-team collection towards Afghanistan and the UAE from 29 August to 7 September.
[UPDATE] New Captain & Recent Faces
Below the desert solar, the Pakistan crew will look strikingly totally different. Captain Salman Ali Agha, who solely cemented his place final yr, will marshal a mix of acquainted names and rookies.
Shaheen Afridi stays the tempo spearhead, however his colleagues embody uncapped left‑arm seamer Salman Mirza and versatile all‑rounder Mohammad Wasim. Batting accountability rests with Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan and rising star Saim Ayub – the latter boasting a T20 strike price of 137.95, far greater than Babar or Rizwan.
Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf present spin‑all‑spherical choices. A concise overview of the squad is proven beneath:
| Participant | Function |
| Salman Ali Agha (c) | batting all‑rounder |
| Abrar Ahmed | leg‑spinner |
| Faheem Ashraf | seam‑bowling all‑rounder |
| Fakhar Zaman | left‑handed opener |
| Haris Rauf | quick bowler |
| Hasan Ali | quick bowler |
| Hasan Nawaz | center‑order batter |
| Hussain Talat | all‑rounder |
| Khushdil Shah | batter |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | wicket‑keeper |
| Mohammad Nawaz | spin‑all‑rounder |
| Mohammad Wasim Jnr | quick bowler |
| Sahibzada Farhan | batter |
| Saim Ayub | opener |
| Salman Mirza | left‑arm seamer |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | quick bowler |
| Sufyan Moqim | spinner |
Pakistan’s Asia Cup fixtures underline the problem forward. They open towards Oman on 12 September, face arch‑rivals India two days later, and full group play towards the UAE on 17 September.
A profitable group stage may see them attain the Tremendous Fours from 20 September, culminating within the last on 28 September.
[TRENDING] Why the Stars Have been Axed: Altering T20 Strategy
There’s a larger change in considering behind what is just not mentioned within the headlines. Since 2022, Rizwan’s T20I strike price is 122.26 and Babar’s is 127.34, that are among the many lowest for openers from Check nations.
The PCB needs to vary how individuals see its T20 batting as “secure.” It’s now specializing in a daring type of play that depends on hitting arduous.
Coach Mike Hesson mentioned that Babar was informed to enhance his abilities towards spin and to hurry up his scoring. Hesson mentioned that Babar will play for Adelaide Strikers within the Massive Bash League to enhance his abilities and is “too good a participant” to be missed sooner or later.
The coach mentioned that gamers like Sahibzada Farhan, who has gained three Participant of the Match awards in six video games, and Saim Ayub ought to get extra probabilities to play.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez shared this thought, saying it wouldn’t be proper to name Babar and Rizwan “key gamers” when others like Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Nawaz have been profitable video games.
Hafeez, all the time simple, mentioned that the strike-rate numbers present why Pakistan wants extra thrilling openers.
[WHAT’S HAPPENING] Response & Implications
Folks’s responses to the selection have been as totally different as objects in a market. Some followers suppose the lacking elements are incorrect, whereas others like the brand new change.
Hesson went on X
We’ve put collectively what we consider is a extremely aggressive squad following the latest T20I collection. Excited to see some contemporary faces stepping up alongside our skilled senior gamers. An important mix of power & expertise for the Tri-Nation collection & Asia Cup.
Our squad options…— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) August 17, 2025
to say he was “Completely satisfied to see new gamers becoming a member of our expert senior gamers,” mentioning the combo of younger and skilled gamers within the crew. Aaqib Javed, the chief selector, mentioned this crew “can beat India,” displaying how necessary the sport on September 14 is.
Pakistan’s leaders additionally identified the bowling combine: 5 quick bowlers and two thrilling “thriller spinners” excellent for the UAE climate. However, not together with issues may be dangerous.
Babar not being there takes away a gradual participant for Pakistan, and Rizwan’s abilities with the gloves and ending video games have been essential in earlier tournaments. India is thrashing massive groups, and Sri Lanka needs to guard their title.
Pakistan’s new crew should work effectively collectively quick. The collection with Afghanistan and the UAE is a apply run, however the Asia Cup will actually present how effectively the PCB’s daring plan works.
Author’s Take
Not having Pakistan’s two finest batsmen looks like seeing a great captain let a brand new particular person take management of the ship in a storm. It takes bravery, perhaps even boldness, to let go of gamers like that.
The PCB has chosen a daring method, shaking issues as much as observe new T20 traits. We’ll see if this danger brings good issues or unhealthy issues when the desert lights shine in September.
Cricket followers will discover this Asia Cup very attention-grabbing, as Pakistan’s new crew makes its personal mark.
FAQ’s
- Why had been Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan omitted of Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad?
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had been omitted as a result of their comparatively low T20 strike charges and struggles towards spin, which clashed with Pakistan’s new aggressive T20 strategy. Coach Mike Hesson emphasised that they continue to be in future plans however should adapt their recreation. - Who’s main the Pakistan crew for the Asia Cup 2025?
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha will captain the aspect, main a youthful squad constructed round attacking cricket. - Who changed Mohammad Rizwan as wicket-keeper?
Mohammad Haris takes over wicket-keeping duties, bringing his dynamic batting and contemporary power behind the stumps. - Are Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan fully dropped from the crew?
No. Each stay in Pakistan’s long-term plans. Their exclusion is momentary, with the teaching workers anticipating enhancements in strike price and flexibility earlier than they return. - What are the important thing fixtures for Pakistan within the Asia Cup 2025?
Pakistan faces Oman on September 12, arch-rivals India on September 14, and the UAE on September 17. Development may see them within the Tremendous Fours (Sept 20–26) and the ultimate on September 28.
