This Asia Cup has shown that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not the problem for Pakistan

[Major]

When you are getting the same scores even after dominating the pp, than were Babar and Rizwan really the issue here?

Pakistan gave 9 wickets for 33 runs in the final after being 113 for 1.

We are back at square 1

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Need to bring RizBabar back for the World Cup yaar

 

[Savak]

I fully expect both to be back.

 

[Major]

This asia cup exposed our middle and lower oder and this includes Hassan Nawaz who did nothing in 5 games.

Ayub, no one knows what he is upto

 

[hur rizvi]

Babar in the middle order couldn’t a way to go. No 4

 

[Hawkeye]

Rizwan has always been a problem. He's the same level as Salman Ali Agha -- both are pathetic white ball cricketers.

Why would you even take Babar's name in the same sentence? He's a proper batter who can time the ball and play a range of shots. He just needs to up his strike rate and score consistently (which he hasn't been doing for 2-3 years).

Babar is fine in the team, playing alongside hitters.

Rizwan and Agha are NOT.

 

[Mamoon]

Only a circus clown would argue that Haris deserves to be in the team ahead of Rizwan in spite of the latter’s obvious shortcomings.

A blind Rizwan is twice the player Haris is and ever will be.

 

[msb314]

Rizwan has always been a problem. He's the same level as Salman Ali Agha -- both are pathetic white ball cricketers.

Why would you even take Babar's name in the same sentence? He's a proper batter who can time the ball and play a range of shots. He just needs to up his strike rate and score consistently (which he hasn't been doing for 2-3 years).

Babar is fine in the team, playing alongside hitters.

Rizwan and Agha are NOT.

Rizwan is a significantly better T20 player than Agha and I don’t even like him…

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I don't know about Rizwan, but in hindsight Babar instead of Agha in that middle-order could have been far better for Pakistan

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Rizwan is a tulla who knows his limitations and Haris is a tulla who doesn't.

That's where Rizwan tends to win.

Occupy the crease for long periods of time and hit a leg side hack once in a while and pretend to be a batsmen while clowning around.

Babar is a special case.

His fans make him seem like an ATG when in essence he is a weak and mediocre player who never has never shown up except once or twice in his life to get his team wins.

He can definitely find a place in ODI and Test team and maybe even T20 (if the rest of batsmen are good hitters) but that's about it.

He is nowhere close to being even as good as Anwar, Inzimam or Younis Khan.

 

[cricfan432]

Its a slow pitch, babar rizwan would be able to do nothing on this pitch. All other pitches were slow from start, ind vs pak matches pitches gets slow after 10-12 overs due to roller effect fading.

Look at the performances outside uae and bangladesh. We were fine in wi and pakistan.

 

[cricfan432]

Zabardast yahi line length

 

[mominsaigol]

When you are getting the same scores even after dominating the pp, than were Babar and Rizwan really the issue here?

Pakistan gave 9 wickets for 33 runs in the final after being 113 for 1.

We are back at square 1

This asia cup was needed as a reality check for alot of posters including myself.

Talent doesn't really exist for Pakistan.

I thought we could pull an Australia where we could replace Labu for Cameron Green, swap out Konstas for Cambell Kellaway(its rumored kellaway will replace konstas for Ashes) or Jake Weatherland.

The middle order is woefully weak atm. We just don't have the t20 or test stock options that Australia does.

Aus is only struggling in odi atm as their building a tulla 400 or 100 all out team, but Pakistan is struggling in all formats.

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan has always been a problem. He's the same level as Salman Ali Agha -- both are pathetic white ball cricketers.

Why would you even take Babar's name in the same sentence? He's a proper batter who can time the ball and play a range of shots. He just needs to up his strike rate and score consistently (which he hasn't been doing for 2-3 years).

Babar is fine in the team, playing alongside hitters.

Rizwan and Agha are NOT.

Naw, Agha has been much much much much slower the rizzu this asia cup.

Tbf he's been a better captain and has utilised his bowlers better.

 

[Shaka81]

Only a circus clown would argue that Haris deserves to be in the team ahead of Rizwan in spite of the latter’s obvious shortcomings.

A blind Rizwan is twice the player Haris is and ever will be.

This is what people don't recognise when they are arguing against Rizwan in the team. He's a wicketkeeper batsman. His competition is Haris, not any other batter who gets named as alternatives. Haris is a truly pathetic cricketer who barely looks good enough for domestic cricket, yet because of blind hatred of Rizwan they support him.

 

[Major]

Delete

 

[Energy]

This tournament has shown you need a blend of both. You need to build around your core. The ego for Babar and Rizwan to play No.1 and No.2 and not letting go has what's caused the start of this.

Build the team around Babar at 3, and Rizwan at 5. Keep aggressive batsmen around them and formulate a strategy.

Also, get the clown Agha out of the team in the first instance.

 

[shaz619]

When you are getting the same scores even after dominating the pp, than were Babar and Rizwan really the issue here?

Pakistan gave 9 wickets for 33 runs in the final after being 113 for 1.

We are back at square 1

This is brainless, Babar & Rizwan can only open, and we have vast improvement there now, are you suggesting these two return to the middle / lower order? Rizwan is incapable batting at the top order and was unwilling to bat anywhere else, we got much better options then Babar in the top order and he doesn’t have the game to combat spin in the middle overs or slog at the death. If you want to make point scoring threads, at least come up with credible alternatives unless you just want to use instances of a new team struggling in a final to make a case for players you want to see return, not just any players but those who set us back decades in T20’s. This team win, lose or draw is not going to be cutting cakes with their enemies and will fight till the end unlike the past cowards.

 

[chinaman00]

You can’t use one wrong to justify another. Babar was extremely nepotistic and preferred to sideline genuine players while promoting his mediocre friends. He also insisted on opening where he wasted balls and put pressure on incoming batsmen.

Agha and this coach are another mediocre bunch with zero working brains.

 

[m.shah]

Babar in Agha out
Rizwan in Haris out
Shaheen... captain

 

[Mamoon]

Not only is Haris a rubbish batsman, he is also a poor WK.

 

[hamzie]

yeah they definitely walk back in to this squad
rightfully so
the experiment was worth a try but its definitely failed

 

[Kianig89]

We already knew this, good others are enlighten also

 

[Caved12]

If Pakistan had Hasan Nawaz, Babar, and Rizwan in the lineup, we would’ve won the Asia Cup final today. Forget modern cricket, these current batters can’t even survive 20 overs, let alone chase or set a competitive total.

 

[stani_pak]

I would bring rizwan just for his keeping alone, Mohammad Haris has been garbage behind the stumps, and of course is batting is nothing to write about it. Rizwas despite his flaws, can still score runs, unlike Haris.

 

[ElRaja]

just because they werent the problem, doesnt mean they are the solution. i dont mind bringing bobsy back, as a number 3 or 4, but rizwans politics is corrosive. also bringing them back wont change anything, what pak need is lower middle order hitters, and babar and rizzy arent that. tbh geriatric afridi and razzaq would contribute more to this team than the current lot.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Babar back at 3 and Rizwan at 4.

 

[GoogleToggle]

Pakistans current batting line up is worse than Oman and full of hacks. Lol at omitting Babar as if they have Abhishek Sharmas and Tilak Varmas in domestic

 

[DeadlyVenom]

just because they werent the problem, doesnt mean they are the solution. i dont mind bringing bobsy back, as a number 3 or 4, but rizwans politics is corrosive. also bringing them back wont change anything, what pak need is lower middle order hitters, and babar and rizzy arent that. tbh geriatric afridi and razzaq would contribute more to this team than the current lot.

Agree with bolded.

I was happy to give Haris benefit of the doubt, but man his keeping sucks worse than his batting.

You know Rizwan would have nailed that run out, then lie down with cramps to take the heat out of the game and give bowlers a chance to rest up and recharge.

So I really don't know what we do now.

 

[ameer219]

Only a circus clown would argue that Haris deserves to be in the team ahead of Rizwan in spite of the latter’s obvious shortcomings.

A blind Rizwan is twice the player Haris is and ever will be.

I agreed after seeing Harris brainless stumping chance.

But then again. Rizwan has also lost us so many matches. Both are equally awful.

 

[PakPremi]

Rizwan is a significantly better T20 player than Agha and I don’t even like him…

Rizwan would not have been so slow to run out which Haris fluffed. Each match Haris has made a costly mistake. Rizwan runs would had been bonus too as Hsris did not score much.

 

[Major]

Harris missed the run out and than also didnt go for that catch.

 

[Josh]

If Babar and Rizwan were openers. You might have got bundled for 136 instead. Issue has been their batting position I believe.

 

[Asif321]

Rizwan can’t be in team since your openers are sorted now . Babar bats at 3 . Rizwan can’t bat 4 . So ideally yes you have to get Babar back since WT20 is in Srilanka . Babar at 3 sounds perfect

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

@Major ’s argument seems to make sense - but only until you look at the context.

As leaders Babar and Rizwan were a problem because they personified a decade plus slow and stodgy philosophy in white ball cricket. They were the problem from a strategic, and approach to cricket point of view because they seemed to dominate how Pakistan played its cricket.

Unless it’s a one off, that core strategic failing (old style slow game play) has been exposed by Farhan and Faqar’s innings today.

However as individual cricketers both Babar and Rizwan are definitely head and shoulders above what’s available in Pakistan cricket. But their path back into the team should be basis their personally ability (no leadership stuff any more!) and provided they buy in to the new philosophy to play as individuals. In the middle order, no opening stuff for them either.

 

[themens]

But then again. Rizwan has also lost us so many matches. Both are equally awful.

Rizwan has lost us matches because he was at least there to get a result out of the game.

Haris is always back in the pavilion by that stage.

 

[Rana]

What a lol thread

As if Pakistan would have been 110-1 in 13 overs with RizBar here



@Major come on bro have some sense

 

[Ahmed216]

Rizwan and Babar haters are not fans of Pakistan

 

[themens]

What a lol thread

As if Pakistan would have been 110-1 in 13 overs with RizBar here



@Major come on bro have some sense

what was the score after 20 overs?

 

[Rana]

Rizwan and Babar haters are not fans of Pakistan

What do you mean?

Rizwan and Babar are Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal now?

 

[Major]

What a lol thread

As if Pakistan would have been 110-1 in 13 overs with RizBar here



@Major come on bro have some sense

na man, i was too disappointed with the batting today. And it happened twice in the same tournament.

If we were getting to 200 after a good PP, i would had agreed that this is the team.

But look, old team was getting to 150 , this team is getting 150, so the issue was at top order or middle order?

Today was such a big disappointment that there is no solution now.

 

[Ahmed216]

What do you mean?

Rizwan and Babar are Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal now?

No Talat and Haris are.

 

[shah9425]

Rizwan needs to be back in place of useless hack and fraud Haris

 

[DeadlyVenom]

@gazza619

All the hype about Babar and Rizwan, nobody is talking about Iftikhar, a perfect replacement for Agha.

 

[Rana]

na man, i was too disappointed with the batting today. And it happened twice in the same tournament.

If we were getting to 200 after a good PP, i would had agreed that this is the team.

But look, old team was getting to 150 , this team is getting 150, so the issue was at top order or middle order?

Today was such a big disappointment that there is no solution now.

Even if we are to take your assertion seriously,

Fakhar and Farhan are fine as T20 openers


So where does Babar and Rizwan fit? Where have they shown they are willing to work for the team?

 

[Ahmed216]

na man, i was too disappointed with the batting today. And it happened twice in the same tournament.

If we were getting to 200 after a good PP, i would had agreed that this is the team.

But look, old team was getting to 150 , this team is getting 150, so the issue was at top order or middle order?

Today was such a big disappointment that there is no solution now.

We needed solid batters today to get us to 170 not hacks. Fakhar Saim Babar Rizwan Hassan Sahibzada these are your top players not guys like Agha who have been shoved down our throat just to keep Rizwan and Babar out

 

[Major]

Even if we are to take your assertion seriously,

Fakhar and Farhan are fine as T20 openers


So where does Babar and Rizwan fit? Where have they shown they are willing to work for the team?

I would place babar in Hussain Talats position and Rizwan at the lower order. I agree with Sahibzada you cant bring these two as openers, but they are needed in the middle overs atleast.

Look at the run out that haris missed

 

[ameer219]

Rizwan has lost us matches because he was at least there to get a result out of the game.

Haris is always back in the pavilion by that stage.

Whenever I think of Rizwan I think of that brain fade moment where he tried to hit, of all bowlers, Bumrah for six. And wasted so many dot balls.

I rather keep Harris, and I don't even like him.

 

[hassan918]

Rizwan needs to be back in place of useless hack and fraud Haris

This change is a must.

 

[Rana]

I think the RizBar cry babies will get what they want

That too after 1 tournament where Pakistan lost a final in the last over.

So now, you will get what you want.

If it happens, well best of luck. I am 100% certain that it will be the final stint of those two in Pakistan colours.

You insist on your own demise. So be it.

 

[shah9425]

This change is a must.

Exactly he is not even performing properly behind the stumps

 

[RyanRyan10]

Pakistan could manage just 130 in the T20 WC final they played

Pakistan could not chase 170 vs SRL in the Asia Cup final both played (Rizwan scored 55 off 49 batting till the 17th over)

 

[Major]

I think the RizBar cry babies will get what they want

That too after 1 tournament where Pakistan lost a final in the last over.

So now, you will get what you want.

If it happens, well best of luck. I am 100% certain that it will be the final stint of those two in Pakistan colours.

You insist on your own demise. So be it.

bro it didnt work. The middle order and lower order collapsed. Every single one of them.

I agree that the opening and PP advantage this team did take. But you tell me if you had to choose between Hussain Talat and Babar who would u choose?

If you had to choose between Harris and Rizwan, who would you choose especially after that run out that was missed?

 

[Ahmed216]

Pakistan could manage just 130 in the T20 WC final they played

Pakistan could not chase 170 vs SRL in the Asia Cup final both played (Rizwan scored 55 off 49 batting till the 17th over)

But how did Pak manage to be 146 all out after being 110/1?

Even in World Cup final we were 84/2 at one stage

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It definitely felt like Pakistan were missing one proper batsman in this line-up who could play proper cricketing shots and put some value on his wicket. The only player who fits that description is Babar Azam. I think Babar should come back at No. 3. Opening slot looks alright with Fakhar and Farhan.

Agha's position in the side is also becoming questionable now. He just does not look like a player cut out for T20 cricket.

 

[Rana]

agree that the opening and PP advantage this team did take. But you tell me if you had to choose between Hussain Talat and Babar who would u choose

Give me evidence that Babar is suited to the role of Talat at 4-6

Where is the evidence? Talat did his hard yards in those positions. So how can I say Babar? Based on what?

 

[Rana]

But how did Pak manage to be 146 all out after being 110/1?

Even in World Cup final we were 84/2 at one stage

What does that have to do with Babar and Rizwan not being there?

So Babar and Rizwan were removed as batters who bat at 4-6???

 

[Major]

Give me evidence that Babar is suited to the role of Talat at 4-6

Where is the evidence? Talat did his hard yards in those positions. So how can I say Babar? Based on what?

Bro Talat was garabge back in 2016, and he was not gonna be any different in 2025.

I think Fakhar might retire soon, so lets see what happens. I also want Hassan Nawaz in the line up, but babar should be there in the middle or atleast near 1 down

 

[Ahmed216]

What does that have to do with Babar and Rizwan not being there?

So Babar and Rizwan were removed as batters who bat at 4-6???

Talk about Haris and Talat your favorites

 

[Ahmed216]

Give me evidence that Babar is suited to the role of Talat at 4-6

Where is the evidence? Talat did his hard yards in those positions. So how can I say Babar? Based on what?

Watch cricket with open eyes you will get your evidence

 

[Rana]

Bro Talat was garabge back in 2016, and he was not gonna be any different in 2025.

I think Fakhar might retire soon, so lets see what happens. I also want Hassan Nawaz in the line up, but babar should be there in the middle or atleast near 1 down

Ok

Share your XI for the first match of the 2026 World Cup

 

[hur rizvi]

Rizwan has always been a problem. He's the same level as Salman Ali Agha -- both are pathetic white ball cricketers.

Why would you even take Babar's name in the same sentence? He's a proper batter who can time the ball and play a range of shots. He just needs to up his strike rate and score consistently (which he hasn't been doing for 2-3 years).

Babar is fine in the team, playing alongside hitters.

Rizwan and Agha are NOT.

My sentiments. Babar has the potential to score @135-140 without being reckless.

He should not bat in top 3 though.

Farhan,
Fakhar,
Saim (for his bowling),
Babar,
Hasan Nawaz,
Shadab/Muhammad Nawaz,
M. Haris,
Faheem,
Shaheen,
Abrar
Any pacer but rauf

 

[Rana]

Watch cricket with open eyes you will get your evidence

Says the guy who compares Sharafu to Farhan.

Aankhen teri band hai ya meri??

 

[Ahmed216]

Says the guy who compares Sharafu to Farhan.

Aankhen teri band hai ya meri??

I wanted to do something more rubbish and absurd that your abhishek vs Rizwan

 

[Major]

Ok

Share your XI for the first match of the 2026 World Cup

Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Babar Azam
Salman Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Rizwan
Bowler/allrounder
Bowler/allrounder
Bowler
Bowler

 

[Prince of Dorne]

Pak literally have just 2 international class batsmen and they dropped both of them, lol.

 

[Sachin fan]

Pakistan could manage just 130 in the T20 WC final they played

Pakistan could not chase 170 vs SRL in the Asia Cup final both played (Rizwan scored 55 off 49 batting till the 17th over)

They couldn't chase 120 against India in the wt20 match they played.

 

[Rana]

Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Babar Azam
Salman Agha
Hassan Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Rizwan
Bowler/allrounder
Bowler/allrounder
Bowler
Bowler

So you made this team to defeat India?

Our issue is that we cannot beat India atm. So this team will beat India?

 

[RyanRyan10]

But how did Pak manage to be 146 all out after being 110/1?

Even in World Cup final we were 84/2 at one stage

Are Babar and Rizwan willing to bat in the middle order?

And the run rate in the T20 World Cup final remained below 7 throughout the innings. Neither of them could have played the kind of innings Sahibzada played tonight.

 

[Major]

So you made this team to defeat India?

Our issue is that we cannot beat India atm. So this team will beat India?

no matter what team i come up with, i dont think we can beat India man,

 

[Rana]

no matter what team i come up with, i dont think we can beat India man,

So then why change a team that got to the final? Why change something that is working?

The team is fine. They need to bat properly.

Pakistan’s issue in the 2 games against India is how to hide the accumulators and make the most of your start. They got it wrong in the last match and lost the momentum. They tried to correct it in this match but handed the momentum right back to India as it backfired massively

How are you adding more accumulators to this side?

 

[imran1976]

Even if we are to take your assertion seriously,

Fakhar and Farhan are fine as T20 openers


So where does Babar and Rizwan fit? Where have they shown they are willing to work for the team?

Babar fits in at number 3 , don't know if Rizwan fits in the team and I don't know if we have better wicketkeeper batsman option from domestic.

 

[Rana]

Babar fits in at number 3

It’s probably his most useful position yes.

So he’s a good player of spin? Pace? World Cup is in conditions where spinners are locking in.

 

[Major]

So then why change a team that got to the final? Why change something that is working?

The team is fine. They need to bat properly.

Pakistan’s issue in the 2 games against India is how to hide the accumulators and make the most of your start. They got it wrong in the last match and lost the momentum. They tried to correct it in this match but handed the momentum right back to India as it backfired massively

How are you adding more accumulators to this side?

Opening improved, fair enough but again my question is if you had to choose between Hussain Talat and Babar who wil u go with?

Im not asking for Babar or Rizwan to be bought in as openers. But i know that nor Hussain Talat or Haris can bat or score runs

 

[DeadlyVenom]

So then why change a team that got to the final? Why change something that is working?

The team is fine. They need to bat properly.

Pakistan’s issue in the 2 games against India is how to hide the accumulators and make the most of your start. They got it wrong in the last match and lost the momentum. They tried to correct it in this match but handed the momentum right back to India as it backfired massively

How are you adding more accumulators to this side?

Team isn't fine bro

Too many rellu kattas.

Nawaz bowled like 1 over in 4 matche for exams.

Core is fine but we need to play more specialist and find a keeper.

I am not a fan of bringing Rizwan as he can't fit. But Haris hasn't really nailed his spot and his keeping was poor. Need to try someone as a backup at the very least.

I am happy with these players being in the squad ( even Agha), but the team XI needs work.

 

[Mamoon]

Some clowns want this team.

1. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan
2. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan (wk)
3. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan
4. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan (c)
5. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan
6. Anyone but Babar/Rizwan
7. Nawaz
8. Faheem
9. Shaheen
10. Rauf
11. Abrar

 

[introvert]

Lol. Pak hardly missed them. Pakistan needs middle order batting talent not babar and rizwan. Experiment should continue.

Babar should not get easy comeback. He should improve his t20 batting tempo and comeback on merit.

 

[PakistanMeriJaan]

our batting issues have always been from the middle and lower order. Nothing has changed. We just lack the brains to regularly play good cricketing shots when the field is spread and take regular singles. It’s boundary or bust.

 

[gazza619]

@gazza619

All the hype about Babar and Rizwan, nobody is talking about Iftikhar, a perfect replacement for Agha.

Absolutely buddy. Riz comes in for M Haris, Babar for Talat, and Ifti for Agha.

Trust me, the team would become unstoppable. As Babar, Riz & Shaheen have a past, I would hand over T20 captaincy to Fakhar for the next year or so.

 

[Caved12]

It's time to move on from Talat, Khushdil, Haris, and Hasan Ali in T20Is, the sooner, the better. Saim should remain in the squad for his potential, but he shouldn’t be an automatic selection in the playing XI just yet. Salman should be dropped from the T20I setup entirely; there's no justification for his place, and unless he delivers something extraordinary in the next PSL, which is months away, he should not even be in the conversation.

Babar and Rizwan should walk straight back into the T20I side. The management, selectors, and fans owe both of them a public acknowledgment, if not an outright apology, for the disrespect shown despite their proven track records and consistency.