Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Left Out of Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Left Out of Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup

In a major shift in Pakistan's T20I direction, senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, set to be held in the UAE. The 17-member squad, announced on Sunday, will also take part in a preparatory tri-series involving UAE and Afghanistan ahead of the main tournament.

Salman Agha has been named captain of the squad, signalling a continued investment in Pakistan’s newer generation of T20 talent.

Return for Fakhar, Continued Omission for Senior Duo

Fakhar Zaman, who missed recent T20Is due to a hamstring injury sustained in the West Indies, has made a full recovery and returns to the squad. However, the notable absences of Babar and Rizwan confirm their continuing exclusion from Pakistan’s short-format plans.

Babar last featured in a T20I in December 2024, and while he scored three fifties including a 94 in the 2025 PSL, his strike rate of 128.57 raised questions about his effectiveness in the evolving T20 landscape. He also featured in the recent ODI series against West Indies, scoring 47, 0, and 9.

Rizwan, similarly, has not been part of Pakistan’s T20I setup in recent months. His ODI form has also dipped, managing scores of 53, 16, and 0 against the West Indies.

Pakistan Squad for UAE Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025:

  • Salman Agha (captain)

  • 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

Youth Movement Continues

The selection further emphasizes the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) intent to transition towards a younger, more dynamic core for T20 cricket. The inclusion of players like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and Hasan Nawaz reflects a strategy geared toward explosive batting and adaptability in the shortest format.

Allrounders such as Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz continue to be part of the mix, providing balance and flexibility to the side.

What’s Next

Pakistan will begin their UAE tri-series campaign later this month, using it as a tune-up for the Asia Cup, which is expected to serve as a key preparatory event ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The exclusion of Babar and Rizwan marks a defining moment in Pakistan's T20 cricket roadmap, potentially signalling the end of an era for two of the country's most prominent white-ball players.