Pakistan At Asia Cup 2025: Full Squad, Strengths, Weaknesses, Risks And Predicted XI

Pakistan team [Source: AFP Media]

Pakistan has been one of the most random performing teams in cricket. They can come up with the most brilliant of shows on a particular day and then collapse like a pack of cards on the next. The team is currently preparing for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2025.

They have announced the squad for the continental tournament. In this article, we will examine the team and analyse it, while predicting their chances.

Pakistan Full Squad For Asia Cup 2025

Batters: Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Shahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris, Hussain Talat
All-rounders: Salman Ali Agha (c), Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub
Bowlers: Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

Strengths Of Pakistan For Asia Cup 2025

Dynamic Opening Partnership

Shahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub appear to be a dynamic opening partnership. The strengths of this duo are - 

• Left-right batting combination
• Complementary styles of batting: While Farhan looks to stabilise at the beginning, Ayub tries to be on the offensive from the start. Ayub's batting approach would allow, Farhan the time to get into his elements and make a significant impact with his batting.
• An Impactful And Effective Partnership: Ayub and Farhan have opened in eight innings for Pakistan in T20Is. The duo has scored 310 runs in these innings at an average of 38.85 while maintaining a scoring rate of over 8.50 runs per over. The numbers reveal that while they are consistent, they may lack acceleration at the beginning. However, for conditions at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan might benefit from the fact that the duo can lay down solid foundations for them.

Impactful Duo Of Lead Spinners

Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem are expected to act as the lead spinners for Pakistan during the tournament. The two bring very different skill sets to the table. However, both of them combine to give a very effective pair that can trouble the other teams in the tournament.

Analysis of lead spinners of Pakistan [Source: OneCricket]

The statistics of the two bowlers suggest that they are adept at picking up wickets while controlling the opposition's scoring rate. If these two bowlers start hitting their rhythm, Pakistan will be able to win the middle phases of most matches, one of the most crucial aspects in dominating a T20 game.

Weakness Of Pakistan For Asia Cup 2025

Powerplay scoring rate

Shahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have given solidity to the top order in the recent times. However, the problem for Pakistan arises from the scoring rate when fielding restrictions are imposed on the bowling side.

In the modern era, the world is moving towards a type of game where they are aiming to score over 54 runs at least in the first five overs. That equals nine runs per over during the phase. However, if we examine the top order of Pakistan and their scoring rates, we can see that they are scoring 48-49 runs in the first six overs. 

This falls short by nearly five runs of what most of the elite units are targeting. In some games, Pakistan may fail to post a formidable total due to a comparatively sluggish start to the innings.

Death Bowling Concerns

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf [Source: AFP Media]

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are the prime bowlers for Pakistan. From 2024, we can see that these two have conceded around nine runs per over in the death phase while picking up a wicket every ninth ball. 

While these numbers are decent, when compared to the death bowling of other heavyweights, they fall well short of the standard. For instance, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh have picked up a wicket every ninth ball while conceding less than seven runs an over during the death overs. The cost per wicket for the Pakistan pair puts them a bit behind the gold standards of world T20 cricket at present.

Opportunity For Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025

Advantages of Night Games: The Asia Cup 2025 will see all the games played from 6:30 PM IST. This time will make dew a massive factor in the outcome of the games. The team batting first will struggle to get going, and Pakistan can capitalise on their strong spin department. On the other hand, the team batting second will enjoy the advantage of the surface getting quicker and easier to bat on while chasing. Winning the toss and utilising this advantage provides Pakistan with an opportunity to portray themselves as a strong T20I unit.

Risks For Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025

Collapse Factor: While Shahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have been stable at the top of the order, Pakistan face the risk of collapse. Fakhar Zaman is the only experienced batter in the top, and he too suffers from inconsistency. 

So, if they are faced with a quality attack and lose the top two quickly, Pakistan can suffer a batting collapse. With not many batters having experience of batting under pressure, the team might face a catastrophe in this case.

Dependencies For Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025

Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz [Source: AP Media]

Ayub, Nawaz, Haris's Power Hitting

These three new batters will be crucial for Pakistan's chances, especially because the tournament will be played in the T20 Format. How the three players will be crucial to Pakistan's chances in the tournament - 

• Saim Ayub has a strike rate of nearly 140 in T20Is. The onus will be on him to raise the ante for his team in the power plays and build a dynamic platform.
• If we just look at the strike rate of the batters, then Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz emerge as the key batters for Pakistan. While Haris can score at a strike rate of 143, Nawaz can strike at over 170. These two players will be responsible for taking moderate starts and building them into formidable totals during the tournament.

All-rounders Coming To Fore

Pakistan has formed a squad that places a significant emphasis on the all-rounders. Players like Salmamn Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Khushdil Shah and even Saim Ayub are expected to come up with strong shows with both their trades. How well Pakistan performs in the tournament will largely depend on how effectively the all-rounders prove their efficiency.

Win Probability vs Key Opponents (Statistically Calculated):

• vs India (Group - Sep 14): 33% 
• vs Afghanistan: 60% 
• vs Bangladesh: 70%

Pakitan Win Probability Analysis [Source: OneCricket]

Bottom Line

Pakistan's Asia Cup success probability stands at 35%—a high ceiling due to the quality of its spin bowling and dynamic batting order, but a fragile floor due to vulnerability in the powerplay and concerns about death bowling. They're not favourites, but they're the team others will fear the most.

Best Possible XI Of Pakistan For Asia Cup 2025

Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Fakhar Zaman
Salman Ali Agha (c)
Hasan Nawaz
Mohammad Haris (wk)
Mohammad Nawaz
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf
Sufiyan Muqeem
Abrar Ahmed

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