Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 squad witnessed the exclusion of veteran batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The development suggests that the PCB may opt to adopt a more aggressive approach than the duo’s conservative one in the shortest format. Salman Ali Agha will lead the Men in Green, accompanied by experienced players such as Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, and Sufyan Moqim are exciting young talents who have been picked to represent Pakistan in the continental tournament, slated to begin on September 9.
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Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Squad Breakdown
Pakistan failed to seal a spot in the Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, while famously losing to the USA side. Since then, they have been part of seven T20I series, and managed to end on a winning note on only three occasions. All players of the Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 squad were a part of their recent series against the West Indies. The Salman Ali Agha-led team won the series 2-1, which could be a confident booster for them ahead of the Asia Cup.
🚨 BIG BREAKING 🚨
– Tuk Tuk Babar Azam and Tuk Tuk Mohammed Rizwan dropped from Pakistan’s 🇵🇰 Asia Cup 2025 squad 😲
– After almost 2 years, the PCB has taken a good decision 👏🏻
– What’s your take on this 🤔pic.twitter.com/yzvsiFgKrx
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) August 17, 2025
With the exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the team saw the infusion of fresh energy. The opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub were proactive, especially in the final T20I, which saw them stitch a 138-run stand in less than 17 overs. Although Pakistan needed a little stronger push at the top, the middle-order batters returned with quick cameos to help the side in posting 189. Then, the side eventually won the game by 13 runs.
First ever T20I TON for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris — what a brilliant knock! 💯👏#PAKvBAN | #ClashOfGreen pic.twitter.com/uBU8DyMQL3
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 1, 2025
The reliability, along with a positive intent, could be expected from Farhan and Ayub, which has been missing in the past for the Pakistan T20I team. Then, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Haris will be among the few Pakistan players list for Asia Cup 2025 to continue the team’s momentum with their aggressive intent. Skipper Agha, Khushdil Shah, and Faheem Ashraf can also have a good smack at the ball in the slog overs.
In the bowling department, the selectors have gone with the pace trio of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf. Although they bring a wealth of experience playing in the UAE, the surfaces will not offer them enough help. The variations, along with precise line lengths, could be the plan for them in the tournament. The side will have enough tweakers in the form of Sufyan Moqim and Abrar Ahmed, and spin bowling all-rounders, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz. The move to pick enough spinners is the right move by the selectors, as they will be able to extract turn from the pitches in the UAE.
Pakistan players list for Asia Cup 2025: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.
Players to Watch Out
Saim Ayub
Ayub is expected to play the role of an opener in Pakistan Predicted Playing XI for Asia Cup. The southpaw was the finest batter in a three-match T20I series against the West Indies with 130 runs. Interestingly, he took five wickets as well and could be a surprise performer with the ball.
Mohammad Nawaz
The veteran all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, impressed with his wicket-taking abilities against the West Indies. He scalped seven wickets and played a key role in Pakistan’s 2-1 series victory.
Fakhar Zaman
Although Zaman could only score 48 runs in two games, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in PSL 2025 with 439 runs in 13 innings. With his experience and proven performances, the left-hander is expected to be among the key run-scorers for the side.
Final Thoughts on Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Squad
The Pakistan players list for Asia Cup 2025 has exciting young talents in the form of Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufyan Moqim. Although the absence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could hurt them in crunch moments, it’s the right time to build a team for the future.
It is worth noting that the pace trio of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf remains intact and will be crucial due to their wicket-taking abilities. However, only two of them could be part of the Pakistan Predicted Playing XI due to the assistance to the spinners. The spin all-rounders like Mohammad Nawaz and Khushdil Shah are likely to be part of the XI, while Faheem Ashraf is the pace bowling all-rounder. Fakhar Zaman will bat at No. 3, and Mohammad Haris will be the keeper for the side.
First ever T20I TON for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris — what a brilliant knock! 💯👏#PAKvBAN | #ClashOfGreen pic.twitter.com/uBU8DyMQL3
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) June 1, 2025
Skipper Salman Agha is likely to choose Sufyan Moqim over Abrar Ahmed due to his fine performance in the West Indies series. Under experienced head coach Mike Hesson, the fresh faces in the Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 squad certainly offer a better outlook. However, the batters will have a tough test to dig the team out of pressure situations due to relatively less international experience than Babar and Rizwan.
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI for Asia Cup: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Moqim.
