(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Babar Azam Omitted from Pakistan’s Squad for Asia Cup 2025 and UAE Tri-Series
In a surprising move, Pakistan announced a 17-player squad for the Asia Cup 2025 and the UAE tri-series without Babar Azam, the former captain who has long been the face of the team’s batting. The omission of Babar comes as the team management shifts its focus toward players who bring strike rate, match-ups, and impact to the game, rather than relying on traditional anchor roles.
A Shift in Strategy
Head coach Mike Hesson explained that the selections were made with current form and impact in mind. Players like Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman have been making significant contributions in the powerplay and early middle overs, areas where Pakistan is looking to make a strong statement in modern T20 cricket.
Babar Azam’s performance, particularly against spin and his strike rate in the middle overs, left room for improvement. However, Hesson emphasized that Babar is working on these specific areas and remains part of the broader plans for the team.
An Opportunity for Growth
Rather than closing the door on Babar’s international career, Hesson framed the exclusion as an opportunity for growth. “Babar Azam has an opportunity to showcase his improvements in T20 leagues like the BBL. He’s too talented for us to overlook,” Hesson remarked.
The Importance of Present Form
Aaqib Javed, former fast bowler and Director of High Performance, supported this approach, stressing that national spots should be earned based on current performance, not past reputation. In his view, leagues like the PSL and BBL provide players the chance to prove their readiness. The competition for a spot remains fierce, and only players who consistently deliver high-impact performances will secure a place in the squad.
Looking Ahead
As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming tournaments, the focus will be on a squad built around aggressive intent and flexibility. However, the question of Babar’s future in the team remains. At 30, with franchise teams eager to sign him, Babar has the opportunity to reshape his game to align with Pakistan’s evolving T20 philosophy.
