Players Whom Pakistan Could Drop From Asia Cup XI Due To UAE T20I Tri-Series Failure

Out-of-form PAK players who could face the axe [Source: AFP]

Pakistan's unbeaten streak in the UAE T20I Tri-Series was broken by Afghanistan, as the Rashid Khan-led side edged past their counterparts by 18 runs in a high-voltage encounter. After posting a respectable 169-run total on the board, Afghanistan restricted Pakistan to 151 for nine, thereby securing a much-needed victory against the odds. 

Meanwhile, several Pakistan players are under the scanner due to their underwhelming returns in the Tri-Series. With the Asia Cup coming up, these players must evolve their performance, failing which they might face axing from Pakistan's first-choice playing XI in the competition. 

Mohammad Haris

(Stats of Mohammad Haris in last 9 T20Is)

• Destructive batter Mohammad Haris was impressive as a top-order batter in the 2022 T20 World Cup. After excluding Mohammad Rizwan from their T20I plans, Pakistan recalled Haris to make him a part of their revamped batting core. 
• However, the dynamic player has failed to meet the expectations so far. While he averages just 4.75 with the bat in his last nine outings, his overall average reads 17.7, hinting at his inconsistency throughout a career spanning 25 matches. He has been absolutely poor with the bat in the UAE Tri-series, scoring 17 runs in three matches at a horrendous average of 5.67 and a mediocre strike rate of 89.47. 
• Therefore, with Haris struggling to find his rhythm, it won't be surprising if Pakistan drop him from their playing XI in the Asia Cup. 

Sahibzada Farhan

(Sahibzada Farhan's numbers in UAE T20I series)

• Sahibzada Farhan burst onto the scene following his remarkable performance in the PSL 2025. The stylish batter replaced Babar Azam in Pakistan's T20I lineup, instantly showcased his batting prowess, playing a few impactful knocks in the T20I series against Bangladesh and West Indies. 
• However, the batter has been a pale shadow of himself in the ongoing UAE Tri-Series. Although his strike rate has been on the higher side, Farhan's ultra-aggressive approach has hampered his consistency, as he has managed only 47 runs at an average of 15.67 in his last three outings. 
• So, considering his recent form, Farhan might be sidelined from Pakistan's first-choice Asia Cup XI if he doesn't improve his performance in the remainder of the Tri-Series. 

Fakhar Zaman

(Fakhar Zaman's record in UAE T20I Tri-Series)

• Swashbuckling batter Fakhar Zaman has been struggling with poor form in T20Is of late. The southpaw has looked lacklustre with the bat in the UAE T20I Tri-Series, scoring 51 runs at an average of 17 and a strike rate of 121.43. 
• More importantly, Fakhar hasn't fired with the bat for quite a while now. Statistically, the top-order batter has struck only 185 runs at a horrible average of 15.41 since the T20 World Cup last year. Interestingly, Fakhar's scoring rate has also dipped, as the explosive batter has struck at an abysmal rate of 114.90. 
• So, if Fakhar doesn't improve his game in the remaining matches of the Tri-Series, it won't be surprising if the Pakistan team management makes him warm the bench in the Asia Cup. 

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