Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is being considered for a return to the national squad ahead of the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup 2025, as doubts grow over Fakhar Zaman's fitness.
Fakhar sustained hamstring injury during the T20I series against the West Indies. Due to the injury, he has already been ruled out of both the T20I and ODI series against the Caribbean side.
Following the injury, the PCB has already directed Fakhar to report immediately to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he will undergo rehabilitation.
Fakhar's availability for the Asia Cup remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the board is closely monitoring his injury and the rehab phase, but also preparing contingency plans.
According to reports, if Fakhar does not regain full fitness in time, Babar is a strong contender likely to be brought back into the squad.
However, Babar's return to the Pakistan team for the Asia Cup is contingent on his performance in the ODI series against the West Indies.
If he managed to impress the selectors with his performance, it could pave the way for his comeback to the national team.
Notably, Babar recently met with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah during the sideline of the second T20I against West Indies.
The final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced second week of August.
The Asia Cup 2025 will begin with a Group B fixture between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9.
A total of eight teams, divided into two groups, will vie for the prestigious title. Fierce rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group A, alongside UAE and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the blockbuster match against India on September 14. Their final group-stage game is scheduled for September 17 against the UAE.
ODI squad arrives in WI
Pakistan's ODI squad on Tuesday reached the West Indies from Florida ahead of their three-match series against the hosts.
The players will take a day off before resuming practice on Wednesday. According to team management, the training session will begin at 5 PM local time at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The series between Pakistan and the West Indies is set to commence on August 8, with all three matches scheduled at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The remaining fixtures will be played on August 10 and August 12.
The Green Shirts sealed the T20I series against West Indies by securing an enthralling 13-run victory in the third and final fixture.
Batting first, the visitors accumulated a formidable total of 189/4 in their 20 overs, courtesy of openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub.
Farhan top-scored for Pakistan with a 53-ball 74, while Ayub made 66 from 49 deliveries. The duo also shared a 138-run opening partnership.
In response, the hosts could amass 176/6 despite half-centuries from Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford.
For Pakistan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Ayub and Sufiyan Muqeem picked up one wicket apiece.
Pakistan ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Muqeem.
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