Shock Omissions: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan Not Included As Pakistan Announce 17-Member Squad For Asia Cup 2025

Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Squad: In a shocking move, the Pakistan Men’s National Selection Committee has excluded two of their most experienced players, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, from the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

In a prominent leadership shift, Salman Ali Agha has been entrusted with the captaincy for the Asia Cup.

The surprise exclusion of Pakistan's two batting moguls, Babar and Rizwan, from Pakistan's Asia Cup squad has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.

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The absence of these two stalwarts, who have been the backbone of Pakistan's batting line-up for years but have been going through a tough time with the bat, raises eyebrows.

"Pakistan squads for the upcoming T20I tri-series and Asia Cup scheduled to take place in the UAE from 29 August to 28 September," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in an official statement.

The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE, will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 29 August to 7 September. Drawn in Group A of Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India, alongside Oman and hosts UAE.

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The eight-team ACC Asia Cup T20I tournament will be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 9 to 28 September. Pakistan are placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Oman and UAE.

Pakistan's 17-Member Squad For Asia Cup And T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.