Pakistan Announce Asia Cup 2025 Squad: Fresh Faces, Bold Choices & SWOT Analysis

Published: August 17, 2025
Venue: UAE will host the Asia Cup from September 9–28, 2025

A New Chapter for Pakistan Cricket

Every tournament comes with its surprises, but Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement feels like a turning point. The headline is obvious: Salman Ali Agha will captain the side, while stalwarts Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are left out.

For years, Pakistan relied on the same batting core. This time, the selectors have taken a gamble, favoring intent and flexibility over reputation. In the UAE, where conditions often reward bold calls, this could be a masterstroke—or a disaster waiting to unfold

The 17-Man Squad

Stats post 16 March, 2025 (post Rizbar duo)

Batsmen

Player	Performance
Sahibzada Farhan	229 runs in 6 inns @38.16 (SR 144.93), HS 74
Fakhar Zaman	101 runs in 5 inns @20.20 (SR 113.48), HS 44
Mohammad Haris	265 runs in 14 inns @22.08 (SR 154.97), HS 107*
Hassan Nawaz	339 runs in 14 inns @28.25 (SR 175.64), HS 105*

All Rounders

Player	Batting	Bowling
Saim Ayub	207 runs in 9 inns @23 (SR 135.29), HS 66	6 wkts in 18 overs, Econ 7.61 (best 2/20)
Agha Salman	330 runs in 13 inns @36.66 (SR 124.52), HS 56	2 wkts in 7 overs, Econ 9.71 (best 1/12)
Khushdil Shah	86 runs in 7 inns @14.33 (SR 89.58), HS 32	3 wkts in 10 overs, Econ 8.90 (best 1/6)
Faheem Ashraf	97 runs in 8 inns @16.16 (SR 149.23), HS 51	6 wkts in 21 overs, Econ 8.23 (best 2/13)
Hussain Talat	1 run in 1 inn @1 (SR 25), HS 1	1 wkt in 3 overs, Econ 12 (best 1/36)
Mohammad Nawaz	41 runs in 5 inns @8.20 (SR 113.88), HS 27	10 wkts in 16.4 overs, Econ 6.06 (best 3/14)

Bowlers

Player	Bowling Performance
Abrar Ahmed	8 wkts in 23.1 overs, Econ 8.63 (best 3/19)
Sufiyan Muqeem	5 wkts in 14 overs, Econ 4.64 (best 2/6)
Shaheen Afridi	4 wkts in 21 overs, Econ 9.09 (best 2/36)
Haris Rauf	10 wkts in 26 overs, Econ 8.92 (best 3/27)
Hassan Ali	9 wkts in 16.2 overs, Econ 10.71 (best 5/30)
Salman Mirza	7 wkts in 11.3 overs, Econ 8.21 (best 3/20)

First Impressions

1. No automatic picks anymore – Dropping Babar and Rizwan shows selectors are serious about strike-rate and adaptability.
2. Bowling attack fits UAE – Shaheen’s left-arm swing, Rauf’s pace at the death, plus two mystery wrist-spinners (Abrar and Muqeem).
3. Plenty of left-handers – Saim, Fakhar, Khushdil, Nawaz, Hussain Talat. That’s deliberate, especially in Sharjah/Abu Dhabi.

Likely XI

1. Saim Ayub
2. Sahibzada Farhan
3. Fakhar Zaman
4. Salman Ali Agha (c)
5. Hassan Nawaz
6. Mohammad Haris (wk)
7. Faheem Ashraf
8. Mohammad Nawaz / Mohammad Wasim Jr
9. Haris Rauf
10. Shaheen Afridi
11. Abrar Ahmed / Sufiyan Muqeem

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Shaheen shah Afridi’s powerplay threat—only few bowlers change a game in the first two overs like he can.
• A pace–spin balance: Rauf for the end overs, Abrar/Muqeem for the middle.
• Left-hand batting depth to neutralize leg-spin traps.
• With Waseem Jr back, death over issues might be solved.

Weaknesses

• No experienced anchor (no Babar/Rizwan).
• High-risk batting order; a collapse could easily leave Pakistan with a below-par total.
• Inexperience can crumble under pressure.

Opportunities

• UAE surfaces often reward disciplined bowling. A score of 160-170 can be match-winning here
• With so many left-handers, Pakistan finally has the tools to handle opposition spinners better.
• Strong performance vs India could define careers.

Threats

• Bowling-friendly conditions may not suit explosive batting approach.
• Untested batting under pressure.
• Quality international spinners could expose weaknesses.

Final Take

This isn’t a conservative squad. It’s a bold, high-risk selection. If Shaheen delivers up front and spinners choke the middle, Pakistan could look unstoppable. But if the batting misfires, the absence of proven names like Babar and Rizwan might haunt them.

Whatever happens, one thing is clear: Pakistan have pressed the reset button.

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