Babar Azam's replacement found: U19 Asia Cup winners who can enter PAK T20I squad

Debashis Sarangi

Sameer Minhas could be a replacement for Babar [Source: AFP, @RealSahibzada/X]Sameer Minhas could be a replacement for Babar [Source: AFP, @RealSahibzada/X]

Pakistan u19 team enjoyed stellar success in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The Men in Green defeated arch-rivals India in the final to clinch the coveted trophy. Despite losing the group-stage encounter from the Indian u19 team, Pakistan bounced back remarkably in the tournament, showing great character and temperament. 

As the Pakistan under-19 players continue to receive massive praise, here are three cricketers from the Asia Cup winning team who could enter the T20I squad as potential replacements for out-of-form senior superstars. 

Sameer Minhas

Criterion
Data
Innings5
Runs471
Average157
Strike Rate117.46

(Sameer Minhas' stats in u19 Asia Cup)

  • Right-handed batter Sameer Minhas looked sublime in the u19 Asia Cup, amassing 471 runs at a magnificent average of 157 and a blistering strike rate of 117.46. 
  • The young batter showcased nerves of steel in the final, as his stunning 113-ball 172 played a pivotal role in powering Pakistan u19 to the title. 
  • Sameer Minhas is a consistent batter and has a great tendency to convert his starts into significant scores. So, he can be an excellent top-order prospect for Pakistan in T20Is. 
  • The youngster makes the most of the powerplay and his knack for playing match-defining knocks projects him as a potential successor of Babar Azam, who has struggled in the shortest format of late (284 runs, average 25.81, SR 119.83 since the 2024 T20 World Cup). 

Abdul Subhan

Criterion
Data
Innings4
Runs13
Average9.38
Strike Rate14.30
Economy3.93

(Abdul Subhan's stats in u19 Asia Cup)

  • Abdul Subhan is a promising fast bowler from Pakistan who shone brightly in the recently held u19 Asia Cup edition.
  • The right-arm speedster was tough to handle for the bests in business, as he finished the tournament with 13 wickets at a superb average of 9.38 and a strike rate of 14.30. His economy of 3.93 signifies how effectively he kept the opposition under the pump by controlling the flow of runs. 
  • Besides moving the white ball both ways, Abdul Subhan can outfox the batters with his guile and variations. His bowling attributes make him a perfect candidate for the T20I setup, with Pakistan struggling to find a suitable pacer to assist Shaheen Afridi with the ball. 
  • While Naseem Shah has been in and out of the team, Mohammad Wasim Jr (3 wickets in last 6 T20Is) has been disappointing, to say the least. In such a scenario, Subhan could be a valuable addition to the Pakistani T20I setup if the PCB selection finds him worthy enough to represent the national side. 

Ahmed Hussain

Criterion
Data
Innings5
Runs268
Average67
Strike Rate89.03

(Ahmed Hussain's stats in u19 Asia Cup)

  • Ahmed Hussain is a middle-order batter and exhibited red-hot form and consistency for Pakistan in the u19 Asia Cup 2025. Overall, he hammered 268 runs at a marvellous average of 67 and a strike rate of 89.03 in the tournament. 
  • Hussain formed the backbone of Pakistan u19's batting unit alongside the in-form Sameer Minhas, as together they set the foundation of a historic victory. He's a left-handed batter who effortlessly counters pace and spin. 
  • Considering his credentials as a potent middle-order batter, Hussain can be a proper replacement for Fakhar Zaman, who has been injury prone and is at the twilight of his career.