“The Pakistan Cricket Board left everyone talking after announcing the Asia Cup 2025 squad.” Fans were shocked to see that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of Pakistan’s biggest cricket stars, were left out. Along with them, fast bowler Naseem Shah was also not included. This is the first big multi nation tournament in recent years where Pakistan will play without Babar and Rizwan.
Why the PCB Left Out the Superstars
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez explained why the selectors made this decision. He said the PCB wants a new style of T20 cricket that is more aggressive and fast paced. In recent years, both Babar and Rizwan have been playing in a conservative style. This means they focus more on staying at the crease and building innings slowly, instead of scoring quickly.
“Looking at the numbers since 2022, Rizwan’s T20I strike rate is 122.26, and Babar’s sits at 127.34.” These numbers are considered low compared to other openers from Test playing countries. To play the new “fearless cricket,” the PCB wants players with higher strike rates, like Saim Ayub, whose strike rate is 137.95.
Hafeez Supports the New Choices
“According to Mohammad Hafeez, it is not right to consider Babar and Rizwan as Pakistan’s main players right now.” He believes Pakistan’s real match winners are those who deliver victories time and again.”Hafeez noted that in recent years, players like Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz have risen to the occasion with impressive performances, helping Pakistan secure important victories.
He also spoke about the pacers of PAK, noting that while Shaheen Shah Afridi made the squad, Naseem Shah was left out. Hafeez stressed that only fully committed and well performing players deserve a place in the team. Otherwise, the team might not get positive results.
What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
The PCB’s decision shows that they are trying to change the way Pakistan plays T20 cricket. They want younger, faster scoring players who can attack from the beginning. This might help Pakistan compete better in the Asia Cup and other tournaments in the future. For fans, it is a big surprise to see Babar and Rizwan out of the squad. Many people are debating whether this decision is right. But the PCB and the selectors are focused on creating a new strategy to win matches.
Looking Ahead to Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 will be held soon, and Pakistan will play without two of its biggest stars. The new squad includes players who are currently performing well and are ready to take risks on the field. Fans will be watching closely to see if the new team can deliver match winning performances.
This tournament will also show whether the PCB’s plan to adopt a more aggressive T20 style works in practice. It will be interesting to see how players like Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Hasan Nawaz step up and lead Pakistan to victories.