Takeaways from Pakistan’s #AsiaCup2025 Squad

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Pakistan’s #AsiaCup2025 squad was officially announced yesterday, drawing immediate attention from fans and analysts alike. With plenty of talking points — from surprise inclusions and notable omissions to the balance between youth and experience — the announcement has set the stage for intense debate ahead of the tournament. Here’s a closer look at a few key takeaways from the squad.

Read: 3 Reasons Pakistan Lost ODI Series to West Indies

So, What’s the #AsiaCup2025 Squad Like?

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Led by Salman Ali Agha, the squad comprises of the following players.

Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohd. Haris (WK), Mohd. Nawaz, Mohd. Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem

Read: Takeaways From The #PakvsWI T20 Series

Debate Over Selections: Missing Stars, Risky Choices, and All-Rounder Void

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While the squad has a mix of youth and experience, some of the choices are bound to spark debate. Many are questioning whether it was the right call to drop Babar Azam and Rizwan, especially when neither Haris nor the rest of the top order have shown consistent form. The inclusion of Faheem Ashraf also raises eyebrows, as his performances remain patchy and unpredictable despite repeated opportunities. More broadly, Pakistan’s persistent lack of genuine all-rounders continues to hurt team balance — forcing the side to go into matches effectively one bowler or one batter short, a gamble that could prove costly in high-pressure Asia Cup encounters.

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