Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan Dropped From Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad. Pakistan has announced its squad for the Asia Cup 2025 without two big names, Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan. Their absence represents a big change in Pakistan cricket as they try to transition into a younger and more balanced team ahead of the tournament.
The captain of the squad is Salman Agha. There are experienced players included, such as Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, discussions have been heated in the cricketing world regarding the omission of Babar and Rizwan. The two players have consistently delivered for Pakistan for several years. Babar is one of the best batters in the modern-day game and the leading scorer for Pakistan in T20Is. Rizwan is a formidable opening partner with him in white-ball form.
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Emphasis on New Players
The Pakistan selectors have opted to develop new faces and all-round options in the squad. The top order appears inexperienced, with players like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Hasan Nawaz. In terms of keeping Mohammad Haris, he will be doing the job solo. There is good potential in the all-rounders, with Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, and captain Salman Agha, who should provide good depth in batting and bowling.
On the bowling side, Pakistan has managed to retain Shaheen Shah Afridi as their spearhead, backed by Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Salman Mizra and Mohammad Wasim Jr. The squad includes mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed to offer spin choices.
Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Batters – Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz
Wicket Keeper – Mohammad Haris
All-Rounders – Salman Agha (C), Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah
Bowlers – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim, Salman Mizra, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Abrar Ahmed
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The absence of Babar Azam and Rizwan rates as a courageous move by the Pakistan Cricket Board, no doubt with a long-term goal in mind, but after what the pair have achieved as winning match players, doubts will only remain until and if Pakistan can manage with their two most senior batters missing from an Asia Cup competition.
