The biggest headline in Pakistan cricket this week is that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are out of the Pakistan T20 squad for the upcoming tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE as well as the Asia Cup 2025. The two star batsmen, who have carried Pakistan’s batting in the shortest format for years, have been in what selectors call “silent mode” for some time, struggling to maintain their past dominance.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Dropped: A Surprising Call
For the past several years, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been the backbone of Pakistan’s T20 team, consistently providing stability at the top order. However, their recent performances have raised questions about their strike rate and adaptability in modern T20 cricket.
Head coach Mike Hesson and chief selector Aqib Javed addressed these concerns in a joint press conference in Lahore. While announcing the 17-member squad, they emphasized that this decision does not mark the end of Babar and Rizwan’s T20 careers. Instead, the focus is on building consistency and creating opportunities for in-form players.
Pakistan’s 17-Member Squad for the Tri-Series and Asia Cup
The newly announced squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha. It includes a mix of experienced and young players:
- Top Order: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Hassan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris
- All-Rounders: Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah
- Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Muqim
Notably, Naseem Shah has failed to secure a place in the squad, while Fakhar Zaman, Salman Mirza, and Mohammad Wasim Jr have made their comebacks.
Why Were Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Dropped?
According to head coach Mike Hesson, it would be premature to declare the T20 careers of Babar and Rizwan over. He admitted, however, that both players need to work on specific areas. For Babar, the strike rate against spin bowling has been a recurring issue. Despite scoring well in ODIs, his inability to maintain aggression in T20s has raised doubts.
Rizwan, too, has faced criticism for not being able to accelerate during crucial stages of the innings. In modern T20 cricket, where teams often aim for 180+ scores, such strike-rate issues become major concerns.
Selector Aqib Javed reassured fans by saying:
“We cannot say that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will never return to the T20 squad. The player who performs will play. There is no full stop on anyone’s inclusion in the team.”
Pakistan’s Recent T20 Performance
Pakistan’s recent record in T20 cricket shows both progress and inconsistency. According to Mike Hesson:
- Pakistan has won 6 out of their last 9 T20 matches.
- They lost one match on the last ball, another by a few runs, and only one match convincingly.
- By his calculation, Pakistan was in a position to win 8 out of 9 games.
This performance highlights that while the team is competitive, fine margins and lack of finishing ability remain concerns.
Opportunities Ahead for Babar and Rizwan
The selectors hinted that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could regain form and return to the T20 side by performing in leagues such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Big Bash League (BBL). Such platforms provide a chance to overcome weaknesses, particularly in strike rate and adaptability under pressure.
Hesson further stated:
“A player like Babar Azam has the opportunity to work on his shortcomings in leagues like the BBL. We all know how good he is, and it’s too early to judge based on just a few games.”
What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
Leaving out two of Pakistan’s most consistent performers is a bold move that signals a shift in strategy. By investing in younger players like Saim Ayub, Hassan Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris, the selectors are clearly aiming to build a more aggressive, modern T20 batting lineup.
However, the absence of experienced campaigners like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan also puts extra pressure on the new faces to deliver. With tournaments as high-profile as the Asia Cup 2025 on the horizon, fans will be closely watching how this gamble plays out.
Upcoming Tournaments
- Tri-Series in Sharjah: August 29 – September 7, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE.
- Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi and Dubai: September 9 – 28, where Pakistan will face top Asian teams in a high-stakes contest.
These tournaments will be crucial not only for Pakistan’s performance but also for assessing whether the decision to drop Babar and Rizwan pays off.
The news that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are out of the Pakistan T20 squad for the Asia Cup and tri-series has sparked intense debate among fans and analysts. While their absence creates opportunities for younger talent, it also removes two of Pakistan’s most experienced batsmen from the lineup.
Still, selectors and the head coach have left the door open for their return. The message is clear: performance is the ultimate criteria. If Babar and Rizwan deliver in domestic or international leagues, there is no reason they cannot reclaim their spots.
For now, Pakistan will look to test fresh talent in a bid to build a more aggressive and consistent T20 side ahead of major tournaments.
