Without these two stars, the side will heavily rely on Saim Ayub. The left-hander has been showing positive signs in the T20I format. On the other hand, with just the experience of 14 matches in the format, skipper Salman Ali Agha could not be considered under the category of veterans for the side
Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (Pic: File Pic)
With power-hitters and fierce pacers, Pakistan looks like a formidable side heading into the Asia Cup 2025. The Iftikhar Ahmad-led side will lock horns with Oman on September 12 at the Dubai International Stadium.
They will then face arch-rivals India on September 14, followed by a clash against the UAE on September 17.
Ahead of the tournament opener against Oman, Pakistan will be assessing whether their current set of batsmen can fill the void left by their star duo, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
In the absence of these two stalwarts, the side is expected to rely heavily on Saim Ayub. The left-hander has shown promising form in the T20I format. So far, the 23-year-old has featured in 34 T20I matches, amassing 632 runs, including two half-centuries and a career-best 98 not out*.
On the other hand, skipper Salman Ali Agha, with only 14 matches of T20I experience, is yet to be considered a veteran. He has scored 307 runs, including three half-centuries, but still has much to prove on the international stage.
Pakistan are likely to feel the absence of Babar and Rizwan, if not for their leadership, then certainly for the stability they brought to the batting order.
Only time will tell whether this new-look Pakistan side can claim the Asia Cup title without their most experienced campaigners.
Additionally, the much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash has been met with criticism and disappointment from certain groups of fans and former cricketers, in light of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that took place in the Kashmir region. Several people lost their lives in the unfortunate incident that took place in April.
India's squad for the Asia Cup 2025: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Pakistan's Squad for the Asia Cup 2025: 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
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