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Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 in UAE will not feature star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, with Salman Agha appointed as captain.
The squad will also play in the UAE tri-series against Afghanistan and the hosts.
Babar last played T20Is in December 2024 and scored 288 runs in PSL 2025 with a strike rate of 128.57. Rizwan too has been absent from recent T20 squads, though both played in the recent ODI series against West Indies.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar had been asked to work on strike rotation and taking on spin in T20 cricket.
He added that while Babar’s quality was undeniable, form players such as Sahibzada Farhan had been delivering consistently.
“A player like Babar has the opportunity to prove himself in leagues like the BBL and return stronger,” Hesson explained.
Shaheen Afridi retained his place after being sidelined earlier in the format, while Naseem Shah missed out again due to commitments in the CPL.
Fast bowler Salman Mirza, who impressed against Bangladesh, earned selection along with wrist spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem.
The tri-series in UAE will serve as Pakistan’s final preparation before the Asia Cup, starting September 9. Pakistan have never won the T20 edition of the tournament, last reaching the final in 2022.
Pakistan squad for UAE tri-series, Asia Cup 2025
Salman Agha (capt), 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, Sufiyan Muqeem.
