Pakistan announce squads for T20I tri-series and Asia Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the national squads for the upcoming T20I tri-series and the Asia Cup, both set to be held in the UAE from 29 August to 28 September.

Fakhar Zaman, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury sustained on the West Indies tour, has been declared fit and makes his return. Salman Ali Agha will captain the 17-member squad, which will first contest the tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE in Sharjah starting 29 August, before turning its focus to the Asia Cup.

Babar Azam has been left out of the T20I setup for the Asia Cup. Explaining the decision, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson highlighted that Babar has been asked to work on his strike rate and batting against spin, two areas where concerns have been raised in the shortest format.

Hesson added that Pakistan already boasts in-form openers such as Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Sahibzada Farhan, leaving little room at the top order. However, he stressed that Babar’s exclusion is not final, noting that strong performances in the Big Bash League (BBL) could pave the way for his return.

The squad features a mix of experience and youthful energy, with stalwarts like Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf complemented by emerging talents including Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, and Hussain Talat.

Hesson also highlighted the team’s adaptability across different conditions.

“In Lahore, we had flat pitches and our batters excelled. In Bangladesh, the conditions were more challenging with low-scoring games. Our lower order stepped up when early wickets fell, showing good depth,” he said.

Meanwhile, selector and Director of High Performance Aqib Javed said the best available squad has been selected.

“We have maintained player continuity over the past three seasons. I’m very encouraged by the way the team is shaping up. Hasan Nawaz is performing brilliantly, Saim is showing promise, and Sahibzada Farhan is in great form. I’m confident we’re building a solid core ahead of the World Cup,” Aqib said.

Asked whether Babar and Rizwan were no longer part of T20I plans, Aqib clarified: “It’s not that we’ve written them off. But right now, we have strong alternatives for the T20 format. New talents like Yasir, Naeem, and Nafay are also emerging, which is a very positive sign.”

Following the tri-series, Pakistan will head into the Asia Cup, scheduled from 9 to 28 September in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Placed in Group ‘A’, Pakistan are set for high-stakes encounters against arch-rivals India, as well as Oman and the UAE.

Pakistan squad: 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 Muqeem