Pakistan cricket is going through a rough patch after their crushing ODI series defeat in the Caribbean, where the batting unit completely misfired. Star duo Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan looked miles away from their best, raising serious concerns about their form and future in the shortest format. Now, with the official Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025 announced and both of them left out, it’s clear the selectors have chosen to move on from the old guard, at least for now.

Form of Babar Azam And Mohammad Rizwan

It’s been a forgettable run for Azam and Rizwan in recent outings. In the West Indies ODI series, Babar managed just 56 runs across three matches—47 in the opener, followed by a three-ball duck and only nine in the decider.

🚨 NO BABAR & RIZWAN IN PAKISTAN SQUAD FOR ASIA CUP 🚨

Salman Ali (C), Abrar, Faheem, Fakhar, Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Talat, Khushdil Shah, Haris (WK), Nawaz, Waseem Jnr, Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen, Sufyan Moqim. pic.twitter.com/9jfFKEoXwk

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 17, 2025

Rizwan didn’t fare much better, collecting 69 runs in total with a promising 53 in the first game but fading quickly with scores of 16 and a first-ball duck. For players once seen as the backbone of Pakistan’s batting, these numbers highlight just how far off-form they are, and those struggles have ultimately cost them their spots in the Asia Cup 2025 squad. Their omission confirms that recent form, not past reputation, has guided the selection committee’s decisions.

Basit Ali’s Controversial Statement

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has added a touch of dark humour to the ongoing debate about the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025. Reacting to the team’s recent batting collapse against the West Indies, he suggested that the BCCI should refuse to let India face Pakistan in the upcoming tournament. According to him, Pakistan’s current form is so shaky that a clash with India could end in a thrashing of epic proportions, something he feels would only add fuel to the fire back home.

Basit Ali: “I pray India refuse to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, just like how they did at the World Championships of Legends. Itni buri tarah maarenge na vo, ki aapki soch hai (They will beat us so badly you can’t even imagine).”

Basit further explained his reasoning in simple terms: losing to Afghanistan might slip under the radar without much fuss, but losing to India always sparks chaos across the country. With the team struggling to get runs and big names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan still off-colour, his comments now resonate even more strongly, with Babar and Rizwan officially dropped. It’s a clear sign that Pakistan’s leadership is willing to make bold, uncomfortable decisions to avoid further embarrassment on the biggest stage of all.

Can Azam And Rizwan Be Replaced?

With the Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025 now confirmed, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have officially been left out. This is not just a temporary drop—it reflects a deliberate strategic reset by the management. The selectors have opted for a younger, more aggressive batting lineup, signaling a clear shift away from the conservative top-order style that had long defined Pakistan’s T20 approach.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the Asia Cup 2025 squad for playing against Dinda Academy style 💀 pic.twitter.com/m1jkXPkbmg

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) August 17, 2025

At the same time, Pakistan do have realistic alternatives. Saim Ayub has quickly grown into a first-choice opener with his aggressive strike-rate of 137, offering exactly the kind of intent Pakistan has lacked at the top. Fakhar Zaman, if fit, brings experience and proven match-winning ability, while Mohammad Haris not only fills the wicketkeeper slot but also provides explosive batting (strike-rate 144+). With Salman Ali Agha taking over the captaincy and a mix of youth and utility players in the squad, the team is clearly moving towards a more fearless T20 approach.

🚨 BABAR AZAM AND MOHAMMED RIZWAN DROPPED FROM PAKISTAN’S ASIA CUP SQUAD. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/92S416SsNG

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 17, 2025

In our view for now, yes, Babar and Rizwan can realistically be replaced. Unless they rediscover form very quickly in domestic or franchise cricket, their absence from the Asia Cup XI seems more of a strategic reset than a temporary drop. Pakistan appears ready to gamble on younger, more aggressive options rather than relying on out-of-form stalwarts.

What Lies Ahead for Pakistan?

What lies ahead for Pakistan is a new chapter, one that no longer includes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, at least for now. With both players officially left out of the tri-nation T20I series and the Asia Cup 2025, the selectors have made a decisive shift toward youth, aggression, and a bold new T20 identity. Names like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, and skipper Salman Ali Agha are now front and centre, signalling a strategic reset long in the making.

While cricket always allows room for redemption, the message from the management is loud and clear: consistency, adaptability, and strike rate matter more than reputation. Babar and Rizwan may still have a future in green, but their path back will have to go through domestic and franchise proving grounds, not automatic selection.

🚨 Pakistan’s 17-member squad announced for the tri-series and ACC Men’s Asia Cup T20 2025 🚨

All set for the two assignments in the UAE 🗓️🏏#BackTheBoysInGreen | #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/d2kNpEyT39

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 17, 2025

For now, all eyes turn to the fresh faces tasked with leading Pakistan into a new era. Whether they thrive or falter, one thing is certain, the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping Pakistan’s T20 roadmap beyond 2025. Fans should brace for a rollercoaster ride. The stakes couldn’t be higher.