The 2025 Asia Cup, to be played in the T20 format, will be held from September 9. Here are the latest updates on Pakistan's likely squad for the tournament.
After a lot of question marks over this year’s Asia Cup following the rising political tensions between India and Pakistan, it was confirmed that the tournament will go ahead as planned in September. UAE will host all games in the competition, which will run till September 28.
Pakistan have been placed with India, Oman and UAE in Group A, while Group B comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Pakistan’s first game will be against Oman on September 12 in Dubai.
The tournament, which will serve as crucial preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup in India next year, poses several selection headaches for Pakistan, including the question of whether or not to include their senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan.
Latest updates on Pakistan's Asia Cup squad
Pakistan have named a 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup starting from September 9. Read more.
Mohammad Waseem Jr picked over Naseem Shah
Mohammad Waseem Jr, who last played a T20I in January 2024, has been picked in the Asia Cup squad over Naseem Shah, whose last match in the format came in November last year.
No Babar, no Rizwan!
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan continue to be overlooked from the T20I side. Their last T20Is came in December 2024.
Pakistan have announced their Asia Cup squad!
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.
How have Pakistan performed recently in T20Is?
After a series defeat in Bangladesh, Pakistan turned things around with a 2-1 away win against the West Indies.
Pakistan set to conduct training camp in UAE
Pakistan to play tri-series ahead of Asia Cup
Pakistan will compete in a tri-series against hosts UAE and Afghanistan, scheduled for August 29 to September 7.
Pakistan's Asia Cup schedule
Sep 12: PAK vs OMA
Sep 14: IND vs PAK
Sep 17: PAK vs UAE
Do Pakistan have an opener problem?
Between Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, they have three solid opening options (though Fakhar has batted at No.3).
Babar Azam coming back into the mix would only intensify their headaches.
How did Babar Azam perform in PSL 2025?
Babar struggled through the 2025 PSL season, scoring only 288 runs from 10 matches at an average of 36 and strike rate of 128.57.
What was Pakistan's last T20I squad like?
Pakistan recently won a three-match T20I series in the West Indies 2-1. Their squad for the three games included:
Salman Agha (c), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Shaheen Afridi to find a place?
What was Pakistan's last Asia Cup T20 squad?
The last time the Asia Cup was played in the T20I format was in 2022. Pakistan's squad for the tournament then was:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.
Wasim Akram backs Babar Azam's return
Wasim Akram has suggested bringing back Babar Azam for the Asia Cup because of his experience. Speaking on Geo News, he said: "When we are chasing 140 or 160, especially against big teams, we need someone who can take responsibility and carry the other 10 players along with him. Babar is among the world's best players. He adjusts his game to the format and match situation. He has done it in the past and can do it in the future as well."
Fakhar Zaman in doubt for the Asia Cup?
Opener Fakhar Zaman sustained a hamstring injury during the second T20I against the West Indies, and is a doubt for the Asia Cup. Fakhar had also sustained an injury while fielding during the Champions Trophy earlier this year, as he attempted to save a boundary.
When will Pakistan announce Asia Cup squad?
Pakistan's Asia Cup squad is likely to be announced in the second week of August, with no major changes expected. The manegement is likely to retain the core group of players that featured in the recent T20Is against the West Indies.
What about Mohammad Rizwan's chances?
Rizwan, who took over from Babar in the format, has also not made the T20I team this year. He was replaced by Salman Ali Agha following Pakistan's early exit in the Champions Trophy. Rizwan, however, continues to lead the ODI team.
Will Babar Azam be picked?
Babar Azam, who led Pakistan in the previous Asia Cup in 2023, has not played a T20I this year, as the selectors look to bring in younger batters more suited to the format into the squad. Since January 2023, Babar has had a T20I strike rate of 134.99, and even led the team in their first-round exit in the T20 World Cup last year.
