Pakistan’s announcement of the 17-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025 and the UAE tri-series carried one headline omission: Babar Azam. The former captain, long the face of Pakistan’s batting, has been sidelined for now as management prioritizes strike rate, match-ups, and impact over tradition and anchor roles.
Head coach Mike Hesson explained that current selections were made with form and influence in mind. Players like Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman have consistently shifted matches inside the powerplay and early middle overs, providing the kind of impact Pakistan want in the modern T20 game.
By contrast, Babar’s numbers, particularly against spin and in strike rate during the middle overs, left room for improvement. Hesson noted the right-hander is working hard on those specific areas and still very much in the broader plans.
Far from closing the door, Hesson described the exclusion as a challenge rather than an end.
Mike Hesson commented, “Babar Azam has an opportunity to play in the BBL and show that he’s improving in the areas needed in T20Is. He’s too good a player for us not to consider.”
Former fast bowler and current Director of High Performance, Aaqib Javed supported the thinking, stressing that places in the national side must be earned purely on present performance, not past reputation. Leagues like the PSL and BBL, in his view, provide the stage for players to prove their readiness. In that sense the door is wide open, but equally so is the competitio, only those who deliver high-impact results will command a place.
For now, Pakistan move into September with a squad shaped around aggressive intent and flexibility. But the Babar question lingers in the background. At 30, with franchises queueing up for his services, he still has the chance to rewrite that narrative, the only question is how quickly he can align his game to Pakistan’s new T20 philosophy.
But still very bad decision for Pakistan cricket 🏏….very disturbing selection of the team …poor team selection …no experience player in the team … Very bad decision…should have consider both of them in team..,