No Babar, Rizwan in Pakistan squads for UAE T20I tri-series, Asia Cup
The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 29 August to 7 September.
The eight-team ACC Asia Cup T20I tournament will be staged in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 9 to 28 September. Pakistan are placed in Group 'A' alongside India, Oman and UAE.
Pakistan 17-member squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.
Pakistan announce squads for West Indies ODIs, T20Is
Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):
29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time
30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time
1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time
5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time
7 September – Final – 7pm local time
ACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final):
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
PCB name squad for Tri-Series, Asia Cup
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced a 17-member national squad for the upcoming UAE T20 Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025. The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and hosts UAE, will be played in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7. Following that, the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain of the squad. Senior players Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf are part of the lineup, while youngsters Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, and Hussain Talat have also been included. The squad further features Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Mohammad Haris, along with Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, and Hasan Nawaz. Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem complete the squad. During the press conference following the squad announcement, Pakistan's white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, explained the reasons for retaining pacer Salman Mirza in the squad for the upcoming events. "We have retained Salman Mirza because of his performance in Bangladesh," Hesson said. The 31-year-old impressed with his outstanding bowling performance, emerging as the leading wicket-taker in the series. He claimed seven wickets across all three matches at an impressive economy rate of 5.21. Pakistan squad for Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem. Hesson issues Afg warning Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has cautioned against taking Afghanistan lightly in the upcoming Asia Cup, stressing that their spin attack and recent form make them one of the most dangerous opponents. During the press conference, he further explained the importance of Pakistan's batting depth, particularly the ability of the middle order to counter spin in subcontinental conditions. "Afghanistan were semifinalists in the previous T20 World Cup. They are a top sideespecially when you play them in Sharjah," Hesson said. "Not only can our middle order rotate strike against spin, but they can also apply pressure, which is going to be vital. We're not taking any of these games lightly. In terms of preparation for the Asia Cup, we honestly couldn't ask for anything better," he added. The coach noted that playing in Sharjah will present a major challenge for Pakistan's batting group, particularly against spin, but insisted that it will serve as an ideal test before the T20 World Cup. "In the Asia Cup, we are going to face some of the best spin-bowling sides, and this will be a great opportunity ahead of the T20 World Cup. Playing in Sharjah will be a real challenge against spin, and that's why our middle order is so critical," he explained. Hesson also addressed Pakistan's preparations, pointing to recent series as evidence of the team's growing consistency. "We have won six out of nine matches, with one of our losses coming on the very last ball. There haven't been many changes in our squad. Right now, our focus is on winning and maintaining consistency, and the team is playing good cricket in T20s," he said. He also threw his weight behind captain Babar Azam, saying the star batter is working hard to improve his strike-rate and ability against spin. "There's no doubt Babar has been asked to improve in some areas, particularly against spin and in terms of his strike-rate. Those are aspects I know he's working very hard on at the moment," he said. "A player like Babar also has the opportunity to play in the BBL and showcase improvements in those areas of T20 cricket. He's simply too good of a player for us not to consider." Hesson praised other key performers such as Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman, saying all three had fully earned their places in the squad. "The players we have have performed exceptionally well. For example, Sahibzada Farhan played six games and won three Man of the Match awards. You want players who, when they score runs, have a huge impact on the outcome of the gameand that's exactly what we ask from Saim and Fakhar as well," the coach said.
Express Tribune
2 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Whoever performs will play: Aqib Javed
Both former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from T20I side due to poor performance. Photo: AFP Pakistan selector and former pacer Aqib Javed has addressed the T20I exclusions of star batter Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, emphasising that opportunities in the national team are based on performance. Speaking at a media conference, he highlighted the importance of consistency and giving players chances based on their form. "Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not part of the previous three series, while Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada Farhan featured in the top order," Aqib said. "It's not like you ignore someone or select someone based on just two matches' performance. These things often get highlighted in the media, but as a player, you face different challenges at different times. Everyone who wants to play has opportunities," he added. "In T20 cricket, two factors are crucial: your ability to score runs and your strike rate according to the match situation and environment. That is what we always consider." The 53-year-old also addressed growing speculation regarding the T20I futures of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, explaining that their absence from recent series should not be interpreted as being permanently sidelined. "It's not that we are completely sidelining them. The current choices reflect how a player develops. I've given examples of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim, and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a comeback, Saim initially struggled but later created an impact," he stated. "You can't put a stamp on any player's careeropportunities are always there. Right now, they're gaining experience in leagues like the Big Bash and PSL. Whoever performs will play, and only those who perform deserve to play," he added. Looking ahead to the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025, he expressed confidence in the team. "Pakistan's T20 team can beat India. India vs Pakistan matches are always huge. This 17-member squad can defeat any team. We shouldn't put pressure on them, but I have high hopes for this squad," he stated. He elaborated on the recent developments in Pakistan cricket and the Shaheens' squad selection, highlighting the focus on fitness, performance, and providing opportunities to emerging players. "Our top players have just completed a one-and-a-half to two-month camp at the NCA. Concerning the Shaheens, Mohammad Wasim Jr. was sent there, getting fitter and bowling well, so he has been included," he said. "You have limited slotsif you have players like Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada, you can only select 17. Wherever there is opportunity, it will be utilised. The good thing is that our options are improving. Players like Yasir, Naeem, and Nafay give us better choices, which is a positive sign," he concluded.
Express Tribune
2 minutes ago
- Express Tribune
Ind receive Bumrah boost ahead of Asia Cup
Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin in September in the UAE. According to the Indian media reports, Bumrah informed the selectors of his readiness a few days ago. This comes shortly after Suryakumar Yadav cleared his fitness test in Bengaluru. The Indian selection committee is set to meet on August 19 in Mumbai to finalise the 15-member squad for the T20 tournament. "In a significant boost for Team India, star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has made himself available for the 2025 Asia Cup," a BCCI source confirmed. To manage his workload, the right-arm pacer was rested from the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. He played in the first, third, and fourth Tests, while being rested for the second Test at Edgbaston, which India won. Across the series, Bumrah bowled 119.4 overs and claimed two five-wicket hauls. With the Asia Cup in the T20 format, Bumrah won't need to bowl long spells, allowing the management to handle his playing time carefully. He will also have a break of nearly 40 days between his last Test in England and the start of the tournament. His last T20I appearance was in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Bridgetown, where he took 2 for 18 in India's seven-run win. The report also mentioned that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side will travel to the UAE early for the Asia Cup. While the BCCI proposed a short camp in Bengaluru, the team opted for early travel to help players acclimate to local conditions. It is pertinent to mention that India, placed in Group A, will begin their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, face arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14, and conclude the group stage against Oman on September 19.
