Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan dropped as Pakistan announce squad for the Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Team have announced their squad for the Asia Cup 2025. In what was the major highlight, Babar Azam was dropped from the team along with the ODI skipper, Mohammad Rizwan. 

This comes as breaking news as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are two of the biggest players of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Both have been carrying the batting lineup of the team for the last few years, scoring truckloads of runs. 

Babar Azam is the leading run-getter in the T20Is for Pakistan. Also, Mohammad Rizwan has done a great job. Their absence will come as a big blow, and it might cost the team in the Asia Cup 2025. 

Pakistan will be captained by Salman Ali Agha, and the squad will feature big bowling names in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. Spinners in Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim have also made a cut into the team for the format. 

The squad will also be there for the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan. The series will serve as a preparation for the Asia Cup 2025 as well. With youngsters being there in the squad, it will be a great opportunity for them to prove their worth.

Pakistan squad for the tri-series and Asia Cup 2025 

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.

Pakistan schedule for the Tri-series and Asia Cup 2025

Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):

29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time

30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time

1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time

2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time

4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time

5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time

7 September – Final – 7pm local time

ACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final):

12 September – Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time

14 September – India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time

17 September – UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time

20-26 September – Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)

28 September – Final, DICS, 6pm local time