The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named its 17-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20I tri-series in the UAE. The biggest talking point is the absence of two senior players, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been left out as selectors look to experiment with new combinations.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha will captain the side, marking a fresh leadership move. The squad brings together a mix of experienced internationals and emerging stars. Among the seasoned campaigners are Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Nawaz.

The younger group includes Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem. Rising talents such as Mohammad Haris, who will keep wickets, and Sahibzada Farhan also feature, underlining the selectors’ focus on testing depth in the batting order.

The PCB highlighted that the decision to rest Babar and Rizwan is part of long-term planning. With major ICC tournaments ahead, including the 2026 T20 World Cup, the team management wants to provide opportunities for emerging players to perform under pressure.

The squad announcement comes just ahead of Pakistan’s tri-series campaign in Sharjah. Beginning August 29, Pakistan will face Afghanistan in the opener, followed by matches against the UAE. The tournament serves as a build-up for the Asia Cup, scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE. Each side will face the others twice, with the final on September 7.