• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Ex Pakistan Player Urges Babar And Rizwan To Consider Retirement After Asia Cup Omission

Ex-Pakistan Player Urges Babar And Rizwan To Consider Retirement After Asia Cup Omission

Rajgeeta Yadav

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan [Source: AFP]Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan [Source: AFP]

Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has urged star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to think about retiring from international cricket after both were left out of Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. 

On Sunday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 17-member team for the Asia Cup and a preparatory tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE. Salman Ali Agha will lead the side, with Mohammad Haris as wicketkeeper. While big names like Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman made the squad, there was no place for the experienced duo of Babar and Rizwan.

This omission has put the T20I careers of both players in serious doubt, especially with the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year. Head coach Mike Hesson has openly expressed concerns has signaled that neither player is currently in his plans. 

Tanvir Ahmed, who played five Tests for Pakistan, said the pair could restore some dignity by stepping away if they feel disrespected. He even referenced Virat Kohli as an example, writing on X:

"My request to Babar Azam and Rizwan is that if you feel your respect is not intact, then consider retiring from international cricket. We have examples of Virat Kohli in front of us. Babar and Rizwan, respect is in your hands.” 

Recent Form Struggles For Babar And Rizwan

Notably, both Babar and Rizwan have struggled with form recently. Babar last played a T20I in December 2024 and had some good scores in the 2025 PSL season, but his performances in ODI series against West Indies were disappointing, with scores of 47, zero and nine. 

Rizwan has also missed Pakistan’s T20I matches this year and scored just 16 and 0 in the ODIs in the Caribbean. Not long ago, the two were Pakistan’s main openers, breaking records and leading the batting lineup. 

However, the selectors have now moved towards younger players like Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, and Sahibzada Farhan, who will likely open for Pakistan in Asia Cup.

It is important to mention that the squad still features experienced bowlers like Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Faheem Ashraf, along with rising stars such as Hasan Nawaz. 

The Asia Cup 2025 will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28, with Pakistan placed in Group A alongside India, UAE, and Oman. Pakistan will play their first game against Oman on September 12, face India on September 14, and meet UAE on September 17.