Pakistan's head coach, Mike Hesson, has taken to social media to explain the thinking behind the national squad selected for the upcoming Asia Cup T20 tournament and the preceding tri-series in the UAE. The squad announcement has generated considerable discussion, primarily due to the exclusion of star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Hesson expressed his excitement about the selected team, highlighting the blend of youth and experience within the squad. He conveyed confidence in the team's ability to compete strongly in both the tri-nation series and the Asia Cup. Salman Ali Agha will captain the 17-member squad. Hesson emphasized that the team features five frontline seamers to adapt to the UAE conditions, along with two attacking mystery spinners. He further added that the team has depth in batting and a much-improved fielding side, making it an excellent and balanced squad overall.
The decision to omit Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has been the subject of much debate. Both players last featured in T20Is in December 2024. Hesson explained that this decision is part of a broader strategy to expand the player pool and provide opportunities for fresh talent on the international stage. Speaking to reporters, Hesson admitted that Azam had been asked to improve certain aspects of his game, particularly his strike rate and play against spin. Hesson believes Babar needs to sharpen specific aspects of his game to reclaim his spot.
Hesson highlighted Babar's opportunity to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) later this year, viewing it as a crucial platform for the batter to showcase his improvements in T20 cricket. Despite the concerns, Hesson stressed that Babar is "too good a player for us not to consider".
The coach also praised other key performers, including Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman, asserting that they have earned their places in the squad. Hesson also cautioned against underestimating Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, acknowledging their dangerous spin attack and recent form.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has weighed in on the debate, stating that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are no longer "key players" for Pakistan. He argued that the "key player" tag should be reserved for those who consistently win matches for Pakistan, a category he believes neither Babar nor Rizwan currently fit into. Hafeez pointed to players like Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz as current impactful players.
Pakistan's squad includes seasoned pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, and Salman Mirza. The team is scheduled to participate in a tri-nation series against Afghanistan and the UAE, commencing on August 29, before the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9.
Pakistan Squad for Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025:
Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (Wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
