Earlier than the Asia Cup, Pakistan has a tri-series vs AFG and UAE, after which the squad for Asia Cup might be introduced.
Enough has been spoken about India’s probable squad for the Asia Cup 2025, but it is time to discuss the Pakistani team as well. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team might face PAK three times in the tournament — if both of them go on to make the finals, and hence it is important to understand, what combination can the arch-rivals go with.
Surprisingly enough, the team is in sort of a transition phase, where they are looking for alternates for their star players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and even Shaheen Shah Afridi, who haven’t had the best of results in quite some time now. Having said that, they don’t have players who can replace them, so the trio could be back again, despite being unimpressive. InsideSport takes a look at Pakistan probable squad for Asia Cup.
Agha Salman Captain, No Shadab Khan
Since 2024, Agha Salman has been made the in-charge of the Pakistan team. He has led them in 18 T20Is, losing 9 and winning the others. In 21 overall matches, he has scored 380 runs, and picked up four wickets. He would most certainly be the skipper once again. On the other hand, the team would miss Shadab Khan, who has a history of getting injured. He would have been the VC, but then he is recovering after a shoulder injury.
No Clarity on Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan
Let us not talk about what they have done over their entire career. Let’s focus on their recent performances only. He hasn’t played any T20I in 2025, and last year in 24 matches, scored 738 runs at an average of 33. Strike-rate was only 133. Similarly for Rizwan, he played last year only, and scored 617 runs in 20 innings, but his strike-rate was a poor 117.
Purely on how much pressure they put by not scoring quickly enough, they should be picked. But then the PAK selectors might not agree. The duo might still make the cut. There are still rumours, that one of them might miss out.
Shaheen Shah Afridi & Naseem Shah Struggling
Last year, Naseem played his last and in 11 matches picked up 10 wickets. His economy was 9.37. Yet he gets picked. Shaheen Shah was no good either. In 6 matches this year, he picked up 4 at an economy of 9.09. But he gets picked too, maybe because of dearth of options. Haris Rauf has been decent, and he too is an automatic pick.
Confusion Over Fakhar Zaman
If rumours are to be believed, it is a toss-up between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. There is no concrete evidence for it though. In any case, it wouldn’t be the wisest move. Zaman, though known to be explosive, has played five matches this year, and his strike-rate has been only 113. So, a real problem for the Pakistanis.
Probable Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Saim Ayub, Babar Azam/Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, Abbas Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem.
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