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Haris Rauf and...? PAK players who could be dropped for SA T20Is after Asia Cup defeat

Debashis Sarangi

Haris Rauf was highly expensive in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]Haris Rauf was highly expensive in Asia Cup 2025 [Source: AFP]

Pakistan had a heartbreaking end to their Asia Cup 2025 campaign, losing the all-important final against India by five wickets. After posting only 146 runs on the board, Pakistan failed to defend the total, with Tilak Varma's scintillating knock powering the Men in Blue to the title. 

While Sahibzada Farhan and Shaheen Afridi were impactful, Faheem Ashraf bagged three crucial wickets against the arch-rivals in the final. However, several players disappointed the Men in Green, which is why the PCB might decide to ignore them for the upcoming series against South Africa. 

Haris Rauf

Why Pakistan could drop Haris Rauf for SA T20Is

  • Haris Rauf had a decent Asia Cup campaign in terms of wickets, as he bagged nine scalps in five matches. However, the experienced fast bowler's tendency to leak runs at a rapid rate proved costly for Pakistan, particularly in the final against India. 
  • Rauf conceded 165 runs at a poor economy of nine, while none of his teammates had an economy of more than 7.50 on UAE's balanced surfaces. While he looked in rhythm at times, Rauf's lack of variations and tendency to offer pace favoured the opponents. 
  • After he went wicketless for 50 runs off his 3.4 overs in the Asia Cup final against India, Rauf received massive backlash, with the Pakistani fans demanding his ouster from the T20I setup. So, with the T20 World Cup coming up, it won't be surprising if Pakistan drop the seasoned campaigner and give more game time to someone like Abbas Afridi, who has bagged 38 wickets across 24 T20Is at a superb strike rate of eleven. 

Saim Ayub

Why Pakistan could drop Saim Ayub for SA T20Is

Criterion
Data
Innings7
Runs
37
Average5.29
Strike rate97.37

(Saim Ayub's stats in Asia Cup 2025)

  • As evidenced by the above stats, Saim Ayub was one of the major disappointments for Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The explosive southpaw looked horribly out of touch, managing only 37 runs at a horrendous average of 5.29 and a strike rate of 97.37. 
  • Although Ayub bagged eight wickets with the ball, his failure to prove his mettle with his primary skill could lead to his exclusion from T20Is. Also, given that Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman have established themselves as Pakistan's opening batters, Pakistan can give a long run to Mohammad Haris at three, considering his phenomenal performance at that position (323 runs, average- 29.36, SR- 157.56). 

Hussain Talat

Why Pakistan could drop Hussain Talat for SA T20Is

  • Hussain Talat replaced the swashbuckling Hasan Nawaz in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. However, the left-handed batter couldn't live up to the expectations, managing only 46 runs at an abysmal average of 15.33 and a strike rate of 92. 
  • Talat's timid batting was one of the major reasons why Pakistan struggled to up the ante in the middle overs. So, considering he might make room for Nawaz, Pakistan could drop him for the upcoming series against South Africa. 

P.S: Barring these names, the eyes will also be on Agha Salman, who failed miserably as a batter in the Asia Cup, scoring only 72 runs in seven innings at a modest average of 12 and a strike rate of 80.90.