Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Excluded as PCB Announces New Squad for Tri-Nation Series, Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed a 17-member national squad for the upcoming tri-nation T20I series and the Asia Cup 2025, with the surprising exclusions of star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Head coach Mike Hesson and chief selector Aaqib Javed announced the squad at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, calling it one of the most unexpected selections in recent memory.

All-rounder Agha Salman has been appointed captain for the first time in a major tournament, a move seen as a significant shift in the team’s leadership strategy.

The squad comprises a mix of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners:

• Agha Salman (captain)

• Abrar Ahmed

• Faheem Ashraf

• Fakhar Zaman

• Haris Rauf

• Hasan Ali

• Hasan Nawaz

• Hussain Talat

• Khushdil Shah

• Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper)

• Mohammad Nawaz

• Mohammad Wasim Jr.

• Sahibzada Farhan

• Saim Ayub

• Salman Mirza

• Shaheen Shah Afridi

• Sufyan Muqeem

According to the selection committee, the lineup has been crafted to strike a balance between youth and experience, with the aim of injecting new energy into the side.

The omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of Pakistan’s most consistent performers over the past decade, has shocked fans and analysts alike. For the first time in years, Pakistan will compete in a major tournament without the pair, sparking debate about the team’s direction and long-term strategy.

With the Asia Cup just weeks away, attention now turns to Agha Salman and his squad to prove that Pakistan’s revamped lineup can rise to the challenge on the big stage.

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