(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Shaheen Afridi Supports Young Talent Amid Babar, Rizwan’s Exclusion from Asia Cup 2025
August 23, 2025
SHARJAH: Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has spoken about the absence of senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the national squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, set to take place from September 9 to 28.
Babar and Rizwan, who have been regulars in Pakistan’s T20 setup since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, were dropped after the series against South Africa last year. The selectors have shifted focus towards grooming new players ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
While the decision received mixed reactions from fans and former cricketers, Shaheen stressed the importance of giving youngsters opportunities, while acknowledging the contributions of the senior duo.
“Babar and Rizwan are world-class players and, Insha’Allah, they will play again for Pakistan. But I believe everyone deserves a chance. We should support our young players and take them forward,” said Shaheen.
He added that even established players must eventually step aside for fresh talent:
“I won’t be here forever either. The key is for youngsters to grab their chances with both hands.”
Shaheen shared these thoughts during Pakistan’s training session at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where the team is preparing for the upcoming tri-nation T20I series against Afghanistan and the UAE. The series will run from August 29 to September 7, just ahead of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan squad for Tri-Series & Asia Cup 2025:
Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
