Pakistan will walk into the Asia Cup 2025 starting September 9 without Babar Azam, a decision that has already sparked debate among fans and experts. For nearly a decade, Babar has been the anchor of Pakistan’s batting. Now, at 30, he finds himself out of the squad not because of an injury or retirement but because of form and approach.
Head coach Mike Hesson explained the move bluntly: Babar’s strike rate of 129 in T20 internationals is below the standard in today’s game, and his issues against spin have been exposed too often. Numbers, however, still weigh in his favour. He remains Pakistan’s leading T20I run-scorer with 4223 runs and averages 39.83.
But Pakistan are chasing a new style. Alongside Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah have also been dropped as selectors push for more aggressive openers. Youngsters like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Fakhar Zaman have been given a chance. Farhan, especially, has impressed receiving three Player-of-the-Match awards in just six T20I matches.
Mohammad Hafeez has backed the decision, saying it is high time to move forward.
“Calling them key players would be wrong and unfair. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not Pakistan cricket’s key players at the moment. Key players are those who win matches for Pakistan,” Hafeez stated in a video posted on YouTube.
While Javed Miandad has strongly criticised the omission, saying the team management should have had faith.
“Babar Azam is a great player. Ups and downs are part of the game. Cricket is like a radio - you have to catch the station.” Miandad said.
Fans are also split — some excited by change, others worried about losing reliability.
Pakistan will face India on September 14 in Dubai. This time, the stage belongs to the new generation. If they click, Pakistan could equal India’s batting power at the top. Either way, the tournament will decide if leaving Babar out was a better choice or a costly mistake.
Pakistan 17-member 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 Moqim.
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