Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Naseem Shah have all been officially dropped from Pakistan’s squad for both the upcoming UAE T20 Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the decision on August 17, 2025.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan:
Two of Pakistan’s most experienced T20I batters, were excluded mainly due to concerns about their low strike rates in the T20 format. The PCB and head coach Mike Hesson have emphasized a new focus on aggressive, high-tempo batting, citing players like Saim Ayub as better suited to this “fearless cricket” approach. Babar’s T20I strike rate in recent years has been around 127, while Rizwan’s is around 122-125, both considered too conservative for modern T20 cricket.
Naseem Shah:
Reports indicate that Naseem Shah was dropped mainly due to his fall in form in the shortest format, with the management noting that he is “running out of form in the T20Is”.
Salman Agha New Inning
Agha has been chosen as the new captain for Pakistan in both the tri-series against UAE and Afghanistan (August 29–September 7) and the Asia Cup in the UAE (September 9–28).
Full Pakistan Squad for Tri-Series & Asia Cup 2025
| 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 Wasim Jr |
| Sahibzada Farhan |
| Saim Ayub |
| Salman Mirza |
| Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| Sufyan Moqim |
This marks a significant transition in Pakistan’s T20 strategy and signals a changing of the guard for their international white-ball sides.
Also Read: Babar Azam’s 2025 ODI Stats That Are Shocking Cricket Fans