"Taking them out..." - PCB Chief Speaks Out on Babar Azam, Rizwan’s Asia Cup 2025 Snub

When Pakistan's selectors announced their 17-man roster for the tri-series in the United Arab Emirates and the Asia Cup, they omitted veteran hitters Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan. On its website, the PCB revealed the team, which included left-arm bowler Salman Mirza, Mohammed Wasim, and veteran fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Salman Ali Agha-led team will play a tri-series against Afghanistan and the host UAE in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7 in preparation for the Asia Cup, which will begin on September 9 in the UAE in T20 format.

News18 cited Naqvi as saying, "First of all, I don’t have even 1% role in putting players into the team or taking them out. We have a selection committee and then an advisory body; they all sit together. The process goes through a lot — discussions that last 8-10 hours, sometimes for 2-3 days. Definitely, if a team is being selected, it’s in good hands; all professionals are there."

Pakistan's Squad for Asia Cup 2025:

He further added, "I’ve only told them one thing — whatever decision they take, it should be on merit, and I will support that. With whatever lot was available, I polished it and carried it forward. Now, our effort is to bring in as many new players as possible so that there is more competition in cricket, and the best of the best can come forward."

The last time Babar and Rizwan played for Pakistan in Twenty20 Internationals was in December. They were left out of the Men in Green's final four Twenty20 International series: the away series against New Zealand, the home series against Bangladesh, and the away series against the West Indies. It was thought that the two seasoned cricket players would be called up for the Asia Cup, even though the writing was already on the wall.  

In the forthcoming eight-team competition, Pakistan is grouped with India, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates in Group A. At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, they will play their opening match of the season on September 12 against Oman. On September 14, they will play their bitter rivals, India, there.

Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Ali Agha (c).

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