Pakistan Drops Babar Azam, Rizwan as Salman Agha Named Captain for Asia Cup and Tri-Series

Islamabad, August 17, 2025 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series and Asia Cup in the UAE, with Salman Agha appointed as captain.

In a bold selection move, senior batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from both tournaments. Babar, Pakistan’s second-highest run scorer in T20Is, was excluded after a disappointing run of form, having scored only 56 runs in three ODIs against the West Indies.

Opener Fakhar Zaman, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, has rejoined the squad. Rising star Saim Ayub, who finished as the top run-scorer in the T20I series against the West Indies, has also been included. Promising all-rounder Hasan Nawaz, who impressed with 112 runs in three matches during the same series, has earned his first major tournament call-up.

In a surprising omission, pacer Naseem Shah, who was the leading wicket-taker against the West Indies, did not make the cut. The pace attack will instead be spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, supported by Haris Rauf, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, and Salman Mirza. The spin department will feature Abrar Ahmed alongside Mohammad Nawaz, Sufyan Moqim, and Khushdil Shah.

The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, will take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7. The Asia Cup T20I, which will feature eight teams, is scheduled from September 9 to 28 across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Pakistan have been placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Oman, and hosts UAE.