Pakistan on Sunday announced their T20 squad for the Asia Cup and an upcoming tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates, leaving out star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, according to a press release from the Pakistan Cricket Board. Both players, long considered mainstays in the shortest format, have been absent from T20 action since December. Head coach Mike Hesson, speaking at a press conference, explained their exclusion by noting that other players have stepped up with strong performances in recent months.
Head coach Mike Hesson acknowledged Babar Azam’s calibre, noting that while he remains a world-class player, he has been asked to work on specific aspects of his game, including handling spin and improving his strike rate. Hesson said Babar is putting in the effort, but stressed that the current squad has been delivering consistently and making a strong impact.
Since Hesson assumed charge in May, Pakistan have played three T20 series — sweeping a home series 3-0, losing 2-1 away to Bangladesh, and then securing a 2-1 victory against the West Indies in the United States. He emphasized that the team’s immediate goal is to perform well in the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup, aiming to peak during these major events.
The squad will be led by all-rounder Salman Agha, with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza returning to the side. Mirza, who impressed with seven wickets in Bangladesh, was previously left out against the West Indies. Opener Fakhar Zaman also makes a comeback after missing the recent ODI series in the Caribbean due to injury, a series Pakistan lost 2-1. The tri-series begins on August 29, followed by the Asia Cup on September 9, both to be staged in the UAE.
Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim.
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