Dubai, Aug 11: The 2025 Asia Cup, set to be contested in the T20 format, will run from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, ending weeks of uncertainty over the tournament’s future amid rising political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Oman and hosts UAE, with Group B featuring Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
The Men in Green open their campaign against Oman on September 12 in Dubai.
The competition is seen as vital preparation for the T20 World Cup in India next year, but Pakistan’s final squad is yet to be confirmed — and selection debates are intensifying.
Former skipper Babar Azam, left out of the T20I side this year as selectors explored younger batting options, could make a return.
Pakistan great Wasim Akram has backed his inclusion, citing his experience and composure in run chases. “Babar is among the world’s best players. He adjusts his game to the format and situation. He has done it before and can do it again,” Akram told Geo News.
Mohammad Rizwan, who replaced Babar as T20I captain in 2023, has also been absent from the shortest format this year following Pakistan’s early Champions Trophy exit. While he continues to lead the ODI team, his T20 future remains unclear.
Opener Fakhar Zaman faces a race against time after sustaining a hamstring injury in the second T20I against the West Indies.
The left-hander had earlier suffered a knock during the Champions Trophy while fielding. His participation in the Asia Cup remains doubtful.
Despite the speculation, wholesale changes are unlikely.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to retain most of the players who featured in the recent T20I series against the West Indies. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, absent in parts of the recent season, is also being considered for selection.
Pakistan’s last T20 Asia Cup appearance was in 2022, with Babar Azam leading a squad featuring Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.
The official 2025 Asia Cup squad is expected in the second week of August.
With fitness updates and selection calls looming, all eyes will be on whether Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan find their way back into Pakistan’s T20 plans.
As the countdown to the Asia Cup 2025 gathers pace, Pakistan find themselves at a crossroads — balancing experience with fresh talent, and weighing proven match-winners against the promise of youth. (Agencies)
