Pakistan announces squads for Asia Cup 2025 and T20I Tri-series against UAE and Afghanistan

[Rana]

Yeah but Hassan Nawaz is only 1 guy.

Marsh, Owen, Green, David - not a single other team can match that power.

Kevin Nash
Undertaker
Kane
Sid Vicious

 

[Omer2002]

Six allrounders in the squad.

Wasim junior is struggling for shaheens nevermind national ..ahmed daniyaal shud be playing

 

[Ice Man]

What do you recon about this Pakistan squad?

How far away are we from actually competing with Aus in T20s?

I'll be the first one to admit my knowledge on this Pakistani squad is limited but from my understanding, you blokes are trying to shift to a more aggressive approach/aggressive minded players in the format, and that is quite understandable and worth persisting with even if it may not work out immediately.

As for how far away you are from us, I will need to keep an eye out for your upcoming t20 games, to be able to give an opinion on that, mate.

 

[BouncerGuy]

PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC NOW

TALK ABOUT PAKISTAN SQUAD HERE ONLY

 

[Devadwal]

PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC NOW

TALK ABOUT PAKISTAN SQUAD HERE ONLY

Start a new thread on india vs pakistan Asia cup match . I mean prediction or pre match discussion thread. Usually its started a months ago as dates are already fixed

 

[BouncerGuy]

Start a new thread on india vs pakistan Asia cup match . I mean prediction or pre match discussion thread. Usually its started a months ago as dates are already fixed

https://ppforum.pakpassion.net/thre...-asia-cup-2025-and-t20-world-cup-2026.318430/ SIMILAR ALREADY THERE

 

[Rana]

PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC NOW

TALK ABOUT PAKISTAN SQUAD HERE ONLY

I think it’s important to discuss the Pakistan squad and it’s direction in comparison to a top team like Australia.

South Africa clearly proved that the only way to defeat them is to go hard and big, and put on a total of 220. Otherwise Aus will easily chase it down if it’s in the region of 180ish.

That’s the kind of team we want. That’s where we want to be

 

[Vikram1989]

India has better power hitters, Aus isn’t a good t20 team and just like the last t20 Wc they will fail to qualify for semis in the next wc too.

I too think the same. India definitely have much batting fire power and bowling too. Ind tour of aus will settle it.I think with series of 5 t20s, no way to escape for any team.

 

[Rana]

I too think the same. India definitely have much batting fire power and bowling too. Ind tour of aus will settle it.I think with series of 5 t20s, no way to escape for any team.

India have batters but I don’t think of the level of Australia.

India has good spinners though. It’s not easy to line up and take down a bowler like Varun Chakarvaty

 

[Mamoon]

Babar and Rizwan both flopped and Pakistan got destroyed in ODIs by Windies because of these two senior most players. But in T20s Pakistan won against Windies without these two. I have nothing against them and have always backed them when picked, but theres is a limit and I am glad they are not here. Pakistan need to move forward even if they flop in Asia Cup. It's better to lose with fresh players than with established players.

These players are not “fresh”. They are rotten garbage.

Pakistan’s chances of winning in T20Is doesn’t enhance when you drop Babar and Rizwan and pick crap players like Agha, Khushdil, Haris, Fakhar (as a top order batsman in this format).

It seems like Pakistan wants to “punish” Babar and Rizwan rather than pick the best available squad.

I repeat — there isn’t a world where Babar and Rizwan aren’t automatic picks across all formats. Pakistan isn’t loaded with talent. It’s the complete opposite.

 

[Mamoon]

India have batters but I don’t think of the level of Australia.

India has good spinners though. It’s not easy to line up and take down a bowler like Varun Chakarvaty

“Level of Australia”

Love the boot licking of a team that has only one T20 WC trophy in their cabinet in almost 20 years.

 

[Rana]

“Level of Australia”

Love the boot licking of a team that has only one T20 WC trophy in their cabinet in almost 20 years.

So who do we try and emulate? West Indies??

We beat them 2-1

 

[BouncerGuy]

GUYS, PLEASE KEEP YOUR POSTS RELEVANT NOW...

PAKISTAN SQUAD.... PAKISTAN SQUAD

 

[Mamoon]

So who do we try and emulate? West Indies??

We beat them 2-1

Don’t emulate anyone. Pick your best available players and we are not doing that.

 

[Rana]

Don’t emulate anyone. Pick your best available players and we are not doing that.

Yeah we tried that rubbish and didn’t pick our best players then too.


Babar and Rizwan opening in T20s whilst Fakhar, Saim and Farhan benched or batting out of position lol.

 

[Vikram1989]

India have batters but I don’t think of the level of Australia.

India has good spinners though. It’s not easy to line up and take down a bowler like Varun Chakarvaty

I mean sum of parts is better than the individuals of Aussie.India can bat good till 8. Bowling of varun and bumrah will be the real deal for 8 overs .Moreover Aussies struggled on slow Cairns pitch displaying their inherent issues.Tim David, Head were shepherded by other batsmen in ipl too for a number of times.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan were opening 3-4 years for Pakistan in an era where it should have been Fakhar and Sharjeel

I don’t want to hear the b.s of “pick your best players and don’t try to emulate anyone”

You don’t have the right to say that! Especially considering how the two franchises who these two crap players captain have also finished last in the PSL!

 

[shamaan]

Hussain Talat should not be in the squad.

Tri Series playing xi

Farhaan
Saim
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Haris
Nawaz
Wasim Jnr
Shaheen
Salman Mirza
Sufiyaan Muqeem

 

[Rana]

Hussain Talat should not be in the squad.

Tri Series playing xi

Farhaan
Saim
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Haris
Nawaz
Wasim Jnr
Shaheen
Salman Mirza
Sufiyaan Muqeem

Why shouldn’t he be? He’s a good left handed middle order batsman for number 5

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

Khushdil Shah
Faheem Ashraf
Hussain Talat

these three are question mark especially Khushdil who has horrible T20I career stats

 

[shamaan]

Why shouldn’t he be? He’s a good left handed middle order batsman for number 5

No need to have him in the squad when we already have Agha.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

No need to have him in the squad when we already have Agha.

Irfan Niazi and Abdul Samad Should be given a whole year’s worth of Run in team. Niazi is Gun fielder , will save 10-15 Runs just for fielding

 

[Rana]

No need to have him in the squad when we already have Agha.

He’s better and more aggressive than Agha.

He gets a lot of unjustified hate.

 

[shamaan]

He’s better and more aggressive than Agha.

He gets a lot of unjustified hate.

But Agha is captain he going to bat at 4/5 name your xi you want ?

 

[shamaan]

Irfan Niazi and Abdul Samad Should be given a whole year’s worth of Run in team. Niazi is Gun fielder , will save 10-15 Runs just for fielding

Yes agreed Niazi Is a top fielder however I don't see them picking both ahead of Khushdil due to the latter being able to bowl.

 

[Mesozoic]

Not trying to gloat or anything but I can't see a single one in that squad that has it in them to make the Indian playing XI.

Maybe Shaheen ahead of Arshdeep is a touch and go? That's about it..

 

[Mamoon]

Yeah we tried that rubbish and didn’t pick our best players then too.


Babar and Rizwan opening in T20s whilst Fakhar, Saim and Farhan benched or batting out of position lol.

Fakhar is an inferior opener to both Babar and Rizwan in this format and his record shows that. They wouldn’t have opened if he wasn’t doing such a rubbish job.

 

[Mamoon]

Babar and Rizwan were opening 3-4 years for Pakistan in an era where it should have been Fakhar and Sharjeel

I don’t want to hear the b.s of “pick your best players and don’t try to emulate anyone”

You don’t have the right to say that! Especially considering how the two franchises who these two crap players captain have also finished last in the PSL!

Who asked Fakhar to fail as a T20I opener? Who asked Sharjeel to fix matches? They are responsible for their own actions.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Easy bro, Copying Mamoon's laugh and imam's emote will make your head spin.

Take a deep breathe. The emoji spam is disorienting no-one but yourself

Momin bro really happy with the squad great to see wasim jnr back as well as salman mirza they are our best death bowlers great to have them i have little doubts on fakhar form in t20 What's your take on that

 

[Devadwal]

Not trying to gloat or anything but I can't see a single one in that squad that has it in them to make the Indian playing XI.

Maybe Shaheen ahead of Arshdeep is a touch and go? That's about it..

Arshdeep is better bowler than Overhyped Shaheen.

No player from Pakistan can find a place in Indian T20 team. Yha jaiswal ki jagah ni banri hai

 

[Rana]

But Agha is captain he going to bat at 4/5 name your xi you want ?

1. Sahibzada
2. Saim/Fakhar
3. Saim/Fakhar
4. Nawaz
5. Talat
6. Agha
7. Harris (wk)
8. Khushdil
9. Faheem
10. Shaheen/Salman Mirza
11. Abrar/Moqim


That’s the initial blue print.

Now you can drop one of the top 3, or one Talat or Agha, or one of Faheem and Khushdil to add the extra spinner or pacer accordingly.

The only guys that play all games are Sahibzada, Saim, Nawaz and Harris for me.

 

[Rana]

Who asked Fakhar to fail as a T20I opener? Who asked Sharjeel to fix matches? They are responsible for their own actions.

No one asked Fakhar to fail as he didn’t fail. Pakistan were a number 1 T20i side with him as it’s opener for a long time under Sarfaraz

Fakhar has fired his franchise to 3 titles in the PSL as an opener. LQ won the PSL every time when he fired for them. That’s how big a player he is!

 

[shamaan]

1. Sahibzada
2. Saim/Fakhar
3. Saim/Fakhar
4. Nawaz
5. Talat
6. Agha
7. Harris (wk)
8. Khushdil
9. Faheem
10. Shaheen/Salman Mirza
11. Abrar/Moqim


That’s the initial blue print.

Now you can drop one of the top 3, or one Talat or Agha, or one of Faheem and Khushdil to add the extra spinner or pacer accordingly.

The only guys that play all games are Sahibzada, Saim, Nawaz and Harris for me.

So Fahim,Khushdil,Agha,Saim will need to bowl 12 overs between them ?

 

[Rana]

Fakhar is an inferior opener to both Babar and Rizwan in this format and his record shows that. They wouldn’t have opened if he wasn’t doing such a rubbish job.

Babar and Rizwan have a useless T20 record

Imagine being written off by the entire world even though you average 40+. That’s a monumental failure and embarrassment as players.

They will forever be termed as the losers who only cared about themselves! Doob ke Marne ka maqaam hai yeh!

 

[IAJ]

Not trying to gloat or anything but I can't see a single one in that squad that has it in them to make the Indian playing XI.

Maybe Shaheen ahead of Arshdeep is a touch and go? That's about it..

Why should people care about that? Their goal is to beat India when they play India and if they manage to do that that, all Pakistanis will be happy. That matters most, not if they make it into the Indian team or not lol

 

[Rana]

So Fahim,Khushdil,Agha,Saim will need to bowl 12 overs between them ?

Good question.

As I said it’s an initial blue print. Now you have to decide which of the 3 sections needs bolstering. Do you want to weaken the top order, middle or lower order to add the extra bowler or bowlers?

 

[Mamoon]

No one asked Fakhar to fail as he didn’t fail. Pakistan were a number 1 T20i side with him as it’s opener for a long time under Sarfaraz

Fakhar has fired his franchise to 3 titles in the PSL as an opener. LQ won the PSL every time when he fired for them. That’s how big a player he is!

Fakhar has roughly the same strike rate as T20I opener as Babar and Rizwan and scores half the runs. He is a poor T20I opener and both have outperformed him frequently in PSL as well.

It’s proven beyond doubt that Babar and Rizwan are better T20 openers than Fakhar, but it appears that some people will not accept the reality.

As far as T20I ranking is concerned, the only reason Pakistan became number one in T20Is in 2018 was because it was the ODI World Cup season and most teams were playing their weak teams in T20Is and focusing on ODIs.

Pakistan was the only team that was playing its main team in T20Is. It’s their good fortune that there was no T20 WC that year otherwise their phony number 1 rank would have been exposed.

In ODIs, the same team led by the genius Sarfaraz played like minnows in 2018 because they were up against full-strength teams.

 

[shamaan]

Good question.

As I said it’s an initial blue print. Now you have to decide which of the 3 sections needs bolstering. Do you want to weaken the top order, middle or lower order to add the extra bowler or bowlers?

Extra bowler who can complete his full 4 overs, cant relie on Fahim to bowl in the death or part time spinner to bowl in the powerplay .I think Henson will go with your team though as he likes plays who can do both roles and extra batting.

 

[Rana]

Extra bowler who can complete his full 4 overs, cant relie on Fahim to bowl in the death or part time spinner to bowl in the powerplay .I think Henson will go with your team though as he likes plays who can do both roles and extra batting.

They will add in Harris Rauf for the middle overs

One of Talat, Khushdil or Faheem will not make the final cut.

 

[BouncerGuy]

farhan
saim
fakhar
Hassan
Salman
Mhd Haris WK
Faheem
Shaheen
Salman
Hassan Ali
Sufiyan

 

[Mesozoic]

Why should people care about that? Their goal is to beat India when they play India and if they manage to do that that, all Pakistanis will be happy. That matters most, not if they make it into the Indian team or not lol

Relax it's not uncommon for people to see how many players from the opposition make into their XI or vice versa. No need to get offended by it.

 

[shamaan]

They will add in Harris Rauf for the middle overs

One of Talat, Khushdil or Faheem will not make the final cut.

I think Talat will not make the xi.

 

[Rana]

I think Talat will not make the xi.

Which I think is a mistake but I agree, he most likely will not make the XI

Khushdil needs to bring his A game. He’s a key player in this instance.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

Yes agreed Niazi Is a top fielder however I don't see them picking both ahead of Khushdil due to the latter being able to bowl.

we do not need latter to bowl. stop obsession with bits and pieces

 

[Rana]

Against India you should play both Salman and Shaheen.

They don’t like left arm seamers.

 

[IAJ]

Relax it's not uncommon for people to see how many players from the opposition make into their XI or vice versa. No need to get offended by it.

I am relaxed, don't worry about me. But it was a childish post seen here many times before, so people get tired of this also, that's all, nothing personal.

 

[shamaan]

we do not need latter to bowl. stop obsession with bits and pieces

I didn't say I want that that I said that's what likely based upon previous series and how Henson prefers.

 

[topspin]

Forget the Asia Cup, Pakistan will probably sink to new depths in the tri series. This squad is not worthy to play in the 1st tier of international cricket. They should play Associate level cricket.

Hesson with his ridiculous selections (Faheem, Hasan, Khushdil) will be out of the coaching job in less than a year. He's totally out of his depth with regards to Pakistan cricket.

This is extremely good news for Babar and Rizwan to not be playing in 130 type pitches where they stand to gain nothing but criticism. Inevitably they will be back for the World Cup when this lot completely fails.

@Rana

"Without Misbah's favourite trio (Imam, Babar and Rizwan), this is associate level cricket"

 

[shamaan]

Which I think is a mistake but I agree, he most likely will not make the XI

Khushdil needs to bring his A game. He’s a key player in this instance.

In sha Allah big test for youngsters hopefully they overcome the challenge.

 

[Rana]

In sha Allah big test for youngsters hopefully they overcome the challenge.

I believe if your intention is to do the right thing, there will be support from the Almighty. You’ve got to do what’s correct first.

Pakistan for the first time in many years is at least trying to do what’s right. Yes the Agha selection as a batter (not captain) is concerning, but he hasn’t been doing what’s best for him. He’s doing what’s best for the team. InshaAllah he will deliver!

 

[Mamoon]

The era of the “waqti Abu” Salman Agha will also end in tears. Only a matter of time he gets abused left right and center and his career is terminated.

 

[Rana]

@Rana

"Without Misbah's favourite trio (Imam, Babar and Rizwan), this is associate level cricket"

Bro for the dangerous spinning tracks we should have made Imam captain

 

[Devadwal]

Against India you should play both Salman and Shaheen.

They don’t like left arm seamers.

Abhishek Sharma name to suna hi hoga.

 

[AAli98]

Zimbabwe news paper headlines

 

[topspin]

Bro for the dangerous spinning tracks we should have made Imam captain

Ofc the most important player in the team.

 

[Rana]

Zimbabwe news paper headlines

Can you please share the newspaper article you read which claimed Gilchrist was given 3-4 games by Australian management to prove himself or he would get kicked out indefinitely?

 

[Rana]

Ofc the most important player in the team.

Bro the way he dangerously angles his bat for a single against spin creates fear in bowlers!

 

[topspin]

Bro the way he dangerously angles his bat for a single against spin creates fear in bowlers!

Stoppable on his day
Believable player
Strikes confidence into bowlers

 

[gazza619]

farhan
saim
fakhar
Hassan
Salman
Mhd Haris WK
Faheem
Shaheen
Salman
Hassan Ali
Sufiyan

We are better off playing with 10 men instead of the useless Faheem at no.7

Drop Faheem and instead play a proper bowler like Abrar or a proper batter (which we dont have in the reserves)

 

[Vikram1989]

Against India you should play both Salman and Shaheen.

They don’t like left arm seamers.

Previously it was all right hand eleven. so it used to be an issue.now abhishek/tilak/axar/washi /rinku are there in the mix.atleast 3 will be there in the team . gambhir is almost hell bent on left and right combo.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Everyone is so happy about babar and rizwan being not there

 

[Rana]

We are better off playing with 10 men instead of the useless Faheem at no.7

Drop Faheem and instead play a proper bowler like Abrar or a proper batter (which we dont have in the reserves)

Stop this nonsense agenda against Faheem just because he took a picture with NS.

Faheem is a good batter.

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

I didn't say I want that that I said that's what likely based upon previous series and how Henson prefers.

a horrible career in t20I.. his bowling does nt make it up for his actual role. Besides , a asian batter will tonk him anyway

 

[topspin]

Stop this nonsense agenda against Faheem just because he took a picture with NS.

Faheem is a good batter.

His head is still spinning after the Khawaja v Babar debate. Let him recover. It takes time after being smoked like that.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Mazza Aa gaya

Zindabad squad

Rana sahab ab asal maza aya na shukar hai aqib aur mike hesson fans aur media pressure mein nhi aye babar aur rizwan ko select nhi kiya as they say in Punjabi hun sawad aya na kam chuk ke rakho bring it on asia cup hun ais tyaar aa

 

[Wasim Ghulam]

Stop this nonsense agenda against Faheem just because he took a picture with NS.

Faheem is a good batter.

this has nothing to do with Nawaz. no need to make it political.

Faheem’s career is 8 years old. His batting is horrible against decent attack. Unlike PSL , no one will give him half volleys to smash in int games

57 T20 internationals .. averages 13 .. that too because he remained not out in 10 otherwise 41 Completed Innings , he scored 400 runs .. average of below 10.. you call him good bat?

 

[Rana]

Everyone is so happy about babar and rizwan being not there

This is the true Independence Day

I think both Pakistan and India are happy.

 

[Devadwal]

This is the true Independence Day

I think both Pakistan and India are happy.

Hope kar Pakistan team tri series main acha performance kare or win kar jaye nahi to Rizbar PR team hamla kar degi or dono ko Asia cup main wild Card entry mil jaayegi.

What are the views of Tanveer Ahmed . His account is withheld in india so I can't see the tweets of him.

 

[mominsaigol]

Momin bro really happy with the squad great to see wasim jnr back as well as salman mirza they are our best death bowlers great to have them i have little doubts on fakhar form in t20 What's your take on that

The side is okay. Fakhar isnt a good t20 player but he is still an X factor

 

[shariqnoor]

@Rana

"Without Misbah's favourite trio (Imam, Babar and Rizwan), this is associate level cricket"

Must be a lot of work logging in from 3 accounts just to tag yourself and like your own posts. What a life. Haha.

 

[Mamoon]

Agha wakes up every morning wondering what did he ever do in his life to be in the position that he is today.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistani fans fully deserve the humiliation that awaits them in the Asia Cup.

This is also the hill Mike Hesson will die on.

 

[cricfan432]

Maaz sadaqat/saad masood wouldve been better spin all rounders in place of khushdil/nawaz and khwaja nafay shouldve been there.

 

[Forum363]

Saim
Farhan
Fakhar
Agha
Hassan
Haris
Khushdil/ Nawaz
Faheem / Hassan/ Wasim
Shaheen
Mirza
Abrar

The top 6 are fixed. And then at 7 it will be between the left handed all rounders. If they go for Nawaz, it strengthens the bowling so they will likely select Faheem.

If they go with Khushdil, it makes the batting stronger so they will go with Hassan or Wasim.

Muqeem is a backup for Abrar or if theyre brave, then one of the pacers.

It's a shame we dont have one x-factor bowler like Ajmal, afridi, Gul, prime Amir etc. Shaheen just has lived up to the promise. The spinners are better but still not match winning level yet.

 

[TeymurBlake]

I like the squad but feel like it's a batter light. Khushdil Shah or M.Nawaz needed one to be discarded, maybe Khushdil.

Would have loved to see Abbas Afridi, but don't know for who, maybe Shaheen.

 

[Nasty Naz]

It was the expected squad and no real major surprises or anything. I just wish it had Abbas Afridi instead of that rubbish Faheem Ashraf.

If they had planned on selecting Salman Mirza, I don't know why they didn't take him for the WI series.

Glad to see Babar excluded. He should need to part in the hard yards if he wishes to be selected again and really prove himself through his domestic performance.

 

[Devadwal]

Btw @Rana where is current best Pakistani limited overs player aka Tullebaaz Usman khan?

 

[gazza619]

Stop this nonsense agenda against Faheem just because he took a picture with NS.

Faheem is a good batter.

I want to clarify Faheem's role and ask for some statistics to back up your assessment. Firstly, Faheem’s primary role in the team is that of a bowler who can also contribute with the bat. Given this, do we have any statistics that can clearly demonstrate whether he excels more as a batter or as a bowler?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Agha wakes up every morning wondering what did he ever do in his life to be in the position that he is today.

Babar should actually be the one thinking about how he literally threw everything away when he had the world at his feet for a brief period of time

A ridiculous fall from grace for someone once hailed as the successor to the Fab 4

 

[jnaveen1980]

Unless Pakistan loses like 10 games in a row there is no way back for Rizwan and Babar i think. Seems like Pakistan trying to outbat the opposition which they rarely do in their history. Their bowling has to be strong to win tournaments.