The Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025 has drawn attention for its bold moves & leadership changes. The mix of experience & youth makes the team exciting. The squad reflects a shift in strategy to deliver high voltage T20 action in the UAE.
Today, In this Article we will look at the Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025 & Understand Why Babar Azam & Rizwan Dropped by PCB on Mediafeed.

Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
The 17 member team has been announced by Pakistan with a combination of seasoned players & young newcomers.
| Player Name | Role / Notes |
|---|---|
| Salman Ali Agha (c) | Captain |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner |
| Faheem Ashraf | All rounder |
| Fakhar Zaman | Experienced opener |
| Haris Rauf | Fast bowler |
| Hasan Ali | Experienced bowler |
| Hasan Nawaz | Young batting prospect |
| Hussain Talat | Middle order bat |
| Khushdil Shah | Power hitting bat |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | Wicket keeper batsman |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Spin all rounder |
| Mohammad Waseem Jr | Pace option |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Batting talent |
| Saim Ayub | Top order batter |
| Salman Mirza | New talent |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Death bowling spearhead |
| Sufyan Moqim | Younger player |
The squad includes reliable names like Fakhar Zaman & Shaheen Afridi with fresh players like Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza & Sufyan Moqim.

Why Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan Dropped ?
The absence of Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan has created discussion. The recent dip in form saw Babar make only 56 runs across three West Indies ODIs with a top score of 47. The form of Rizwan was also poor in his recent games.
The focused T20 plans made Head Coach Mike Hesson highlight the need for better strike rate & performance against spin from Babar. The tactical change was clear for T20 cricket. The pathway to return was also open. The coach said both stars will come back if they perform well like others in domestic & international games.
The pre Asia Cup captaincy call in March 2025 made Salman Agha the T20 leader. The plan also showed that Rizwan will continue in ODI duty but not in T20 leadership.
Pakistan Strategy for Asia Cup 2025
- Youth & Dynamism – The selection shows the focus on young energy & fresh legs for the T20 format.
- Strike Rate Focus – The decision to drop Babar & Rizwan also shows the need for fast scoring batsmen.
- Balanced Attack – The bowling attack has pacers like Afridi & Rauf with spinners like Abrar Ahmed & Mohammad Nawaz. The balance makes the attack strong.
- Leadership Evolution – The role of Salman Agha as captain shows a new thinking for leadership in T20 cricket.

Pakistan Captain for Asia Cup 2025
The choice of Salman Ali Agha as captain for Asia Cup 2025 shows PCB long term plan. The board has given him the role to guide the team with fresh energy. He will lead in both the UAE Tri series & the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Asia Cup squad is bold & aggressive. The team has mix of old & young players. The captaincy change also shows a shift in mindset. The team is ready to show a new brand of cricket.
Conclusion
At Last, we can conclude that Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025 marks a strong change. The new leader Salman Ali Agha brings fresh energy. The dropping of Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan shows the focus on strike rate & adaptability. The bowling attack looks balanced & the batting order has power hitters.
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