The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, springing a major surprise by leaving out star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The side will be led by Salman Ali Agha, with pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi retained despite indifferent form.
The same squad will also compete in the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan, beginning August 29 in Sharjah.
Once considered the backbone of Pakistan’s batting line-up, both Babar and Rizwan have struggled in T20Is since late 2024. Babar managed only 288 runs in the last Pakistan Super League (PSL) season at a strike rate of 128.57, while Rizwan fared slightly better with 367 runs at 139.54. Neither has featured in a T20I since December 2024.
Despite losing a T20I home series to Bangladesh earlier this year, Pakistan bounced back with an away win against the West Indies. Afridi, who had an underwhelming outing in that series, has nevertheless found a place in the squad.
Pakistan will open their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against Oman at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The much-anticipated Pakistan vs India clash is scheduled for September 14 at the same venue.
The Men in Green had a disappointing campaign in the 2023 edition, crashing out in the group stage after defeats to India and Sri Lanka, the eventual champions. With recent inconsistency and the absence of two senior batters, Pakistan enter the 2025 Asia Cup as underdogs, though a strong showing in the tri-series could lift their morale.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025 and tri-series:
Salman 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, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
