In a surprising move ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member squad that does not include Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan. The two star batters, known for their contributions in T20 internationals, have been left out as Pakistan looks to rebuild under a new, youthful leadership.
Young Blood Leads the Way Under Salman Agha
Pakistan have handed the captaincy to Salman Ali Agha, signaling a shift towards youth and recent performance. The squad features rising stars like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz, both of whom have impressed in recent T20 outings.
Former Pakistan cricketer and team director Mohammad Hafeez has supported the decision. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hafeez said,
“Calling them [Babar and Rizwan] key players would be wrong and unfair. Key players are those who win matches for Pakistan.”
He emphasized that current form and match-winning ability should determine squad selection. According to Hafeez, Babar and Rizwan have not delivered impactful performances in the last 18 to 24 months and must prove themselves again.
Hafeez Questions the Current Value of Babar and Rizwan
Despite being Pakistan’s leading T20I run-scorers, both players are facing scrutiny. Babar Azam is currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history with 4,223 runs, just behind India’s Rohit Sharma (4,231). Mohammad Rizwan stands seventh on the all-time list with 3,414 runs. Yet, Hafeez insists numbers alone aren’t enough.
He stated,
“Babar and Rizwan need to be concerned about their positions. They were good in the past, but now they’re not delivering results. Both need to be fully involved in the game.”
Hafeez didn’t stop there—he also questioned the recent contributions of key pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, noting that Pakistan needs consistent, match-winning performances across the board.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
- September 12 – Pakistan vs Oman in Dubai
- September 14 – Pakistan vs India (highly anticipated clash)
With a young squad and a fresh approach, all eyes will be on how Pakistan performs without their senior stars. The decision to leave out seasoned players like Babar and Rizwan marks a bold new chapter in Pakistan cricket.
