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Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah Dropped As Pakistan Confirm Asia Cup Squad

Anurag Dasgupta

Babar, Rizwan dropped [Source: AFP Photo] Babar, Rizwan dropped [Source: AFP Photo]

Pakistan cricket has announced its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. To no one's surprise, the selectors have dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the team. The two players had strike-rate issues, and the management wanted aggressive batters in the lineup. Also, out-of-form pacer, Naseem Shah has been snubbed from the team.

Babar, and Rizwan were a part of the last Asia Cup squad, but they have been neglected for the upcoming edition, which doesn't come as a shocker for the fans. As expected, Salman Ali Agha will lead the side. The same squad announced will take part in the tri-series tournament against UAE, and Afghanistan.

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.

Why the star trio was neglected?

Babar Azam has been Pakistan's best batter across all formats, but his strike rate in the game's shortest format was an issue for the team. He has a strike rate of 129, and it has pushed Pakistan cricket on the back foot. Babar's inability to shift gears in T20Is has led to his exclusion from the Asia Cup squad.

Similarly, Rizwan's overall numbers have also gone down in T20Is. In this format, he strikes at 125, and Pakistan are looking for players who could be aggressive in their approach. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah, has had injury issues, and his form also wasn't helping his cause. Pakistan side has better T20I bowlers, and the selectors decided to snub him.

Mohammad Wasim Jr gets his chance

The talented pacer, Mohammad Wasim Jr, last played a T20I game for his nation in January 2024, and since then, the pacer was ignored by the selectors. However, after stellar performances in the domestic circuit, he was finally picked in the all-important Asia Cup team.