ISLAMABAD – In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I Tri-Series and the Asia Cup, with two of the country’s biggest stars — Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan — conspicuously missing from the list.
The exclusion of both Babar and Rizwan, who have carried Pakistan’s batting line-up for the better part of the last five years, has raised eyebrows and stirred heated debate. Questions are now swirling: is this the dawn of a new era, or a gamble that may cost Pakistan dearly in two of the year’s most crucial tournaments?
The New Leadership
The squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, who has quietly risen through the ranks to now shoulder the responsibility of captaincy. PCB’s decision to entrust him with leadership signals a clear shift away from traditional reliance on established names, opting instead for a fresh approach and diversified leadership core.
Veteran campaigners like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf remain part of the line-up, bringing much-needed experience to a squad otherwise peppered with new blood. Fakhar’s inclusion is especially notable as he continues to recover from a recent hamstring injury, a move that shows selectors’ confidence in his resilience and impact.
The Full Squad
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat
- Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim
The combination presents a blend of explosive batting talent, seasoned bowling firepower, and promising youngsters—making Pakistan’s campaign both unpredictable and potentially formidable.
Why Babar & Rizwan Are Out
The omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan is not a one-off shock but an extension of their recent absence from Pakistan’s T20 side. Both were dropped during the West Indies series earlier this year, a decision that coincided with Pakistan’s 2-1 series defeat.
Analysts believe selectors are pushing for a strategic reset in the shortest format, giving way to a more aggressive batting approach spearheaded by power-hitters rather than anchors. However, critics warn that removing Pakistan’s two most dependable performers could backfire under the pressure of Asia Cup competition—particularly against arch-rivals India.
Tournament Roadmap
The T20I Tri-Series in Sharjah, running from August 29 to September 7, will act as the testing ground for this revamped squad. Pakistan will take on Afghanistan and the UAE in what will be the first real examination of the new leadership setup.
Following that, the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled between September 9 and 28 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will bring the real challenge. Pakistan’s group fixtures include matches against Oman, UAE, and the blockbuster clash with India on September 14, a showdown that will carry even more weight given the absence of Babar and Rizwan.
What This Means for Pakistan
The PCB’s announcement underscores three key shifts:
- Leadership Transformation – With Salman Ali Agha as captain, Pakistan is testing out fresh leadership dynamics.
- Youthful Energy Meets Veteran Backbone – While stalwarts like Shaheen and Fakhar remain, the younger lot such as Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub have been thrown into the spotlight.
- High-Risk, High-Reward Strategy – Dropping Babar and Rizwan is a clear gamble. If Pakistan’s new combination clicks, it could redefine the team’s T20 identity. If not, the backlash may be fierce and long-lasting.
With the Asia Cup looming and India waiting, Pakistan’s choices will soon be judged on the grandest stage. Will this bold gamble pay off, or will it mark the start of a difficult campaign? Only time will tell.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.