Pakistan has announced its 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, set to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, with Salman Ali Agha as captain and notable exclusions like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The team, revealed on August 17, 2025, blends youth and experience for the T20 tournament.
Squad Details and Key Absences
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finalized the squad for the Asia Cup and a T20I tri-series in Sharjah against Afghanistan and the UAE. Salman Ali Agha, an all-rounder, will lead the side, continuing his T20I captaincy. The absence of star batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has stirred discussion among fans and analysts.
Also Read: Is Shaheen Next? He Comments on Babar and Rizwan’s Snub
Head coach Mike Hesson explained the selections, emphasizing a shift toward aggressive, younger players suited for T20 cricket. Fakhar Zaman, recovered from a hamstring injury, returns alongside fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Full Squad Lineup
The squad features a mix of established and emerging players, aiming to compete in Group A against India, Oman, and the UAE. The complete lineup is:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Hasan Nawaz
- Hussain Talat
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Waseem Jnr
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Mirza
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Sufyan Moqim
Also Read: Bangladesh’s Asia Cup Squad: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
Pakistan’s group stage matches are scheduled against Oman on September 12, India on September 14, and the UAE on September 17 in Dubai.
Why Babar and Rizwan Were Left Out
Babar Azam’s exclusion, despite scoring 288 runs in the 2025 Pakistan Super League, stems from his T20I strike rate of 128.57, considered too slow for the team’s new aggressive approach. Mohammad Rizwan was also omitted, with Mohammad Haris taking over as wicketkeeper. Hesson clarified that both players remain in consideration for future tournaments, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The selections reflect Pakistan’s intent to build a squad capable of high-impact T20 cricket, with young talents like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz expected to shine.
Tournament Context
Hosted in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Asia Cup 2025 is a key preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan, in Group A, faces a high-profile match against defending champions India on September 14. Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025 Schedule – India-Pakistan Match Date Revealed
Pakistan won the Asia Cup in 2000 and 2012 but has yet to claim the T20 title. The current squad aims to change that with a strong bowling attack led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, backed by dynamic batters.
Looking Ahead
Before the Asia Cup, Pakistan will play a T20I tri-series in the UAE from August 29 to September 7 against Afghanistan and the UAE. This will help refine strategies for the main event. The India-Pakistan clash on September 14 is expected to draw massive attention, with fans eager to see the young squad’s performance.
Hesson stated, “We’ve picked a team to play bold, fearless cricket. These players can compete with the best.” The PCB hopes the Asia Cup will boost Pakistan’s momentum after inconsistent T20I results.
