The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025, and fans are stunned to see that both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out. The 17-member squad will participate in the upcoming UAE T20I Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025, marking a surprising shift in team selection and leadership.
Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain, signaling the board’s commitment to developing new leadership and testing emerging talent ahead of next year’s ICC tournaments. The decision to exclude former captain Babar Azam and senior wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has sparked intense debate among fans and cricket experts.
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The tri-nation T20I series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and host UAE will be played in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7, followed by the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28.
Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
| Player Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Salman Ali Agha (C) | All-Rounder / Captain |
| Abrar Ahmed | Bowler |
| Faheem Ashraf | All-Rounder |
| Fakhar Zaman | Batsman |
| Haris Rauf | Bowler |
| Hasan Ali | Bowler |
| Hasan Nawaz | Batsman |
| Hussain Talat | All-Rounder |
| Khushdil Shah | All-Rounder |
| Mohammad Haris (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batsman |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-Rounder |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | All-Rounder |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Batsman |
| Saim Ayub | Batsman |
| Salman Mirza | Bowler |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Bowler |
| Sufyan Moqim | Bowler |
New-Look Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025 Aims for Fresh Start
The Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025 clearly reflects the PCB’s focus on rotation, youth development, and long-term planning. With power hitters like Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris included, the squad is expected to bring high energy and aggression. Shaheen Afridi remains the senior-most pacer to lead the bowling attack.
While the exclusion of big names may be temporary, it has certainly grabbed attention as Pakistan heads into two major tournaments. Fans will now be watching closely to see whether this bold selection strategy pays off.
