The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 17-member national squad for the upcoming tri-nation T20I series and the Asia Cup 2025, with notable exclusions of star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Head coach Mike Hesson and chief selector Aaqib Javed announced the squad during a press conference in Lahore on Sunday, marking one of the most surprising team decisions in recent years.
All-rounder Agha Salman has been handed the captaincy for the first time in a major tournament, signaling a shift towards a new leadership direction.
The squad features a mix of young talent and experienced players, including:
- 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, and Sufyan Muqeem.
According to the selection committee, the lineup has been carefully balanced to combine energy and experience, aiming to inject fresh momentum into the side.
The omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of Pakistan’s most consistent performers over the past decade, has left fans and analysts stunned. For the first time in years, Pakistan will head into a major tournament without the two stalwarts, raising questions about the team’s strategy and future direction.
With the Asia Cup just weeks away, all eyes will be on Agha Salman and his men to prove that Pakistan’s new-look squad can deliver on the big stage.
