Following the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) announcement of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the T20I tri-series, former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has urged Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to consider retiring from international cricket. Both Babar and Rizwan were excluded from the 17-member squad.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Before the Asia Cup, Pakistan will participate in a tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE, starting on August 29. Salman Ali Agha will lead the Pakistan squad in both these tournaments.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been vital players for Pakistan in the recent past, especially in the T20 format. Both have been consistently overlooked since December 2024. The chief selector, Aqib Javed, stated that the door is still open for the experienced duo, provided they work on the areas they have been asked to improve. He added that the squad was finalized after consulting with the team management and captain, emphasizing that recent performance was the primary selection criterion.
Tanvir Ahmed, who played 5 Tests for Pakistan between 2010 and 2013, suggested that Babar and Rizwan should prioritize their respect and dignity. According to Tanvir, the pair can restore some respect by retiring from international cricket. He cited Virat Kohli's example of retiring from T20Is to highlight that dignity is more important than struggling for selection. Tanvir took to social media platform 'X' and urged the star duo to make a decision based on their own sense of respect and career principles.
The former pacer also questioned Fakhar Zaman's inclusion in the squad, considering his injury during the West Indies tour. He questioned whether Zaman was included to keep Azam out.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan's head coach, has openly admitted that Babar needs to improve his strike rate. Javed also stated Babar and Rizwan need to work on their weak areas to be considered for selection. He said that the selectors are not writing them off.
The exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. While some believe it is a harsh decision, others think it is a necessary step to give opportunities to younger players. Some fans believed selectors would go back to the duo, considering the importance of the eight-team tournament. With Pakistan moving towards a younger squad, the big question remains: should Babar and Rizwan follow Kohli's path and retire from T20Is?.
