Pakistan’s 17-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025 and the UAE tri-series has sparked debate after one glaring omission: Babar Azam. The former captain, long regarded as the mainstay of Pakistan’s batting, was not selected as team management shifted focus to aggressive, high-impact T20 cricket.
Head coach Mike Hesson explained that selection decisions were guided by strike rate, match-ups, and the ability to seize momentum early in innings. “Players like Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman have shown they can change the game inside the powerplay and early middle overs. That’s the kind of impact modern T20 cricket demands,” he said.
Babar’s strike rate and middle-over performance, particularly against spin, were identified as areas needing improvement. However, Hesson stressed this was not the end of the road. “Babar Azam is a world-class player. He now has an opportunity in the BBL to show the improvements he’s working on. He’s too good for us not to consider.”
Supporting the decision, Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed emphasised that selection must reflect present form, not reputation. “Players earn their spots through consistent, high-impact performances. Leagues like the PSL and BBL are the perfect proving grounds,” he noted.
For now, Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad reflects a strategy built around power-hitting and flexibility. At 30, Babar still has opportunities with global franchises and national selectors will be watching closely. The bigger question is whether he can evolve his game quickly enough to fit into Pakistan’s new T20 philosophy.
