In a stunning development that reverberated across cricketing circles, Pakistan’s selectors have dropped two of their most decorated players—Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan—from the 17-member squad announced for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and a preceding T20I tri-series in the UAE.
In a welcome twist, Fakhar Zaman is back in the frame following recovery from injury. This bold move signals a strategic shift in Pakistan’s T20 approach.
1. A Fresh, Aggressive Batting Approach
Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson indicated that the team is intentionally shifting to a more aggressive batting strategy. Babar has been advised to improve his strike rate, especially against spinners, while Rizwan’s recent T20 outings were considered too conservative for the new approach.
Selectors included aggressive batters such as Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, aiming to bring energy and flair to the middle order. The return of Fakhar Zaman—a big-hitting opener who was sidelined with a hamstring injury—is another sign of this renewed emphasis on impact and power.
Click Here: Pak Announced Squad for Asia Cup & Tri-Series
Timing and Tournament Details
Pakistan’s excitement levels are soaring as they gear up for not just the Asia Cup 2025 but also a preparatory T20I tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE. Here’s the complete schedule for both tournaments, followed by analysis of what this means for Pakistan’s campaign.
T20I Tri-Nation Series (Pakistan vs UAE vs Afghanistan – Sharjah)
| Match No. | Date | Fixture | Venue | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 August | Afghanistan vs Pakistan | Sharjah | — |
| 2 | 30 August | UAE vs Pakistan | Sharjah | — |
| 3 | 1 September | UAE vs Afghanistan | Sharjah | — |
| 4 | 2 September | Pakistan vs Afghanistan | Sharjah | — |
| 5 | 4 September | Pakistan vs UAE | Sharjah | — |
| 6 | 5 September | Afghanistan vs UAE | Sharjah | — |
| Final | 7 September | Top Two Teams | Sharjah | — |
All matches will take place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and serve as vital match practice before the Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2025: Full Fixture List (Group Stage, Super Four, Final)
| Date | Match | Stage | Venue | Time (IST/GMT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong | Group B | Abu Dhabi (Sheikh Zayed) | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 10 Sep | India vs UAE | Group A | Dubai (Dubai Intl. Stadium) | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 11 Sep | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong | Group B | Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 12 Sep | Pakistan vs Oman | Group A | Dubai | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 13 Sep | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | Group B | Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 14 Sep | India vs Pakistan | Group A | Dubai | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 15 Sep (Abu Dhabi) | UAE vs Oman | Group A | Abu Dhabi | 3:30 PM IST / 12:00 PM GMT |
| 15 Sep (Dubai) | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong | Group B | Dubai | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 16 Sep | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan | Group B | Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 17 Sep | Pakistan vs UAE | Group A | Dubai | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 18 Sep | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | Group B | Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 19 Sep | India vs Oman | Group A | Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 20–26 Sep | Super Four fixtures (6 matches) | Super Four | Dubai & Abu Dhabi | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
| 28 Sep | Final Match | Final | Dubai | 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT |
Key matchups include the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash on September 14 in Dubai and the tournament opener between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi
