After being ignored by the Pakistan side for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, starting on September 09 at the United Arab Emirates, Babar Azam turned up for the Peshawar Zalmi during an exhibition T20 match in Pakistan against the Legends XI. With his all-around performance, he has been struggling to keep himself away from social media chatter. 

A video has gone viral when the fans, from the stadium, were cheering for the veteran batter and asked him to come into the attack with the ball in hand. Looking at the loud cheer, the former T20I captain of the Pakistan side started to warm up and decided to come into the attack with the ball in hand.

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As far as his contributions with the ball are concerned, Babar displayed his skills in how he could contribute to any side in any fashion. While he hasn’t had the chance to bowl in the ODIs and T20Is, he has a total of seven first-class wickets and recorded another 12 in the List A games.

Watch: Babar Azam picks up wickets with ball after turning to ball on fans’ request

On the very first delivery of his spell, Babar got the wicket of his old-time team-mate, Azhar Ali, who swung his bat on the first delivery and saw the ball pop up in the air before the fielder grabbed the catch. Ali, in a hilarious manner, ran after Babar, who, funnily, tried to get saved from Ali.

Best moment from the exhibition match.✨

- Babar Azam gave the fans what they wanted. Came to bowl on the request of the fans and took 2 wickets. A simple but special part of the game.❤️ pic.twitter.com/gCnnQC4X3P

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) September 1, 2025

The second wicket of the veteran came when he dismissed another veteran batter of the national side, Younis Khan. Babar made a strong look at Younis after the dismissal, who used his hands to show how the ball skidded off the surface to disturb the stumps. He truly cherished his figures of 2/21.

With the bat, he raced away to 35 runs off 20 balls before nailing the very next delivery for a six, and ended with 41 runs in 22 balls. Even though he negotiated Shoaib Akhtar quite easily, he wasn’t able to do the same against Saeed Ajmal, who sent Babar back to the pavilion. 

During an invitational and exhibition fixture between the Peshawar Zalmi and the Legends XI, the former T20I captain of the Pakistan side, Babar Azam, was ignored for a place in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. He was not picked by the selection committee after he lacked firepower in the opening position with the bat inside the first six overs of the innings.

The opening batter for the Peshawar Zalmi, Babar Azam, smashed a fine knock of 41 runs in 23 balls at a strike rate of nearly 180 in the team’s total of 144-all out in 14.4 overs while facing some of the great veterans of the game, Shoaib Akhtar and Saeed Ajmal. He negotiated against Akhtar, but couldn’t handle the spinner.

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Akhtar was nowhere near his best of blistering pace from the nightmare past days for the batters. Babar was outfoxed by the 47-year-old spinner as he lined up for another big shot and missed the chance comprehensively as his off-stump was uprooted. Ajmal was incredibly happy as he raised his arm, as he used to do during his playing career.

Watch: Babar Azam gets out to Saeed Ajmal during exhibition T20 match in Pakistan

Getting the first chance to bowl in the innings, Ajmal conceded 10 runs off his first four deliveries before earning a vital breakthrough for his team. However, it wasn’t a pleasing afternoon for the Legends XI, who were reduced to 138/6 in 15 overs after Inzamam-Ul-Haq smashed 46 runs in 23 balls.

Saeed Ajmal, aged 47, bowled Babar Azam, the No.2 ranked ODI batter and so called King of Pakistan 😲

- Babar is still struggling to find his form, and this time, the retired player has rattled him 😨

- What's your take on this 🤔 pic.twitter.com/3NkOWqEdBc

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) September 1, 2025

The contest was held at the Iman Khan Stadium, where Babar, besides the runs, also picked up a couple of wickets for the Peshawar side. The match was held to raise money for helping the recently impacted families by the recent floods in Pakistan. During the game, a fan breached the security.

The fan came onto the ground by jumping off the barrier. He chased the Pakistan batter and later kissed him when he finally got to touch the individual. Even as the officials intervened, one managed to click a selfie with Babar as the security guards later shouldered them off the field.

Babar Azam, the former T20I captain of the Pakistan side, didn’t find a place for the national side in their Asia Cup 2025 squad. But immense popularity and love among the home fans are incredible, as the viral video during an invitational game for the Karachi Kings proved that. It was once again on display.

During a veteran’s match in Pakistan, a fan created a funny moment when he breached the security and dodged nearly 20 officers after jumping the barriers, having been chased by them. But the fan was chasing Babar onto the field, who tried to evade him before eventually being caught.

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He hugged Babar before going a step further to kiss him. The security staff rushed to the position and intervened to separate the fan from the player and escorted him away from the ground. The incident was another example of how much the home fans still love the third T20I leading run-getter, despite being omitted from the national side for the tournament in the UAE.

Watch: Fan breaches security to chase and kiss Babar Azam in Pakistan

The selectors not only excluded Babar but also ignored Mohammed Rizwan in the side. The pair has been consistent for the national side in the shortest format, including the special game against India in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup, when they chased down the target by 10 wickets. But they have lacked the firepower to match the modern T20Is.

The way he dodged 20 security officials to kiss him is so insane 😭😭pic.twitter.com/l48BS5ndj4

— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) August 31, 2025

Salman Ali Agha is currently leading the shortest format of the Green Brigade. Before the Asia Cup, as a preparation, under the head coach Mike Hesson, they are featuring in the tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan in Sharjah. They won the first two games of the series comfortably.

The left-handed opening batter of the side, Fakhar Zaman, is a notable member of the side. His aggression at the top will be very important for the side to get vital starts in the games. The event, featuring eight sides, will begin on September 09 in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan’s huge game against India will be in Dubai on September 14.

Pakistan’s Test all-rounder, Aamer Jamal, has displayed his frustration towards the lack of communication from the selection committee of the national side regarding his future in the team. During a recent interview, the 29-year-old pace bowling all-rounder expressed his concerns about being left in the dark about the team plans.

Jamal has featured in eight Tests for the national side, Pakistan, where he has notched up 352 runs at an average of 27.07 with the help of two half-centuries at the best score of 82 runs against Australia. Apart from that, he has also been part of nine white-ball games and picked 26 overall wickets. He looked back on the time when the PCB didn’t handle the expanse of his medical treatment.

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“I was a centrally contracted player. Saim Ayub and I were both in England, but I was on my own expenses. I spent every single penny myself, whether it was for scans, doctor’s fees, or sessions, I paid for everything out of my own pocket.” Jamal expressed during a recent interview.

Aamer Jamal exposes PCB’s double standards towards centrally contracted players

The 29-year-old is fully recovered and ready to contribute to the national side, besides highlighting his wish to contribute whenever needed. He also expressed his readiness to play for the national side in any format. During his last game during the PSL 2025, he ended with 1/51 against the Islamabad United.

“If you don’t want me to be part of the team, whatever the reasons are, that’s fine. I have been out only due to injury, but I have fully recovered and proven my fitness—I am 100% fit. I have been bowling with full rhythm and maintaining my workload perfectly.” Jamal shed light during the interaction.

“As a player, when you are actively playing, these things bother you if there’s no communication. But in management, the first thing should be to address these issues so that players are not left in the dark. I still don’t understand the reason behind this communication gap, and I hope these matters get resolved as soon as possible.” The Mianwali-born concluded.

The bowling coach of the Pakistan side, Ashley Noffke, trusts that their premier pacer of the national side, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has slowly gathered pace and is ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. However, the left-arm pacer struggled to find rhythm since 2023 with a back issue, having been left out of the squad during their away three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.

The 25-year-old, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has overall picked up 104 wickets in 81 innings of the shortest format at an average of just over 22 and a strike rate of 16.9 with an economy rate of nearly eight. In the T20s, the left-arm pacer has grabbed 312 wickets in 223 innings at an average of 21.04 with an economy rate of 7.95.

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“In terms of pace, he is aware it has dropped, and he has experienced a dip in form. Recovering pace takes time, but we’re building nicely now. We’ve started seeing more balls in the 140km/h range during the West Indies series. There’s a bit of technique, mindset, and a good release point involved, all of which are crucial for bowlers presenting their best.” Noffke expressed ahead of the tri-series.

Ashley Noffke reflects on Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling before Asia Cup 2025

In Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan’s absence, Afridi will be an experienced member of the side. He will also have a huge role to play during the T20 World Cup 2024 in India and Sri Lanka, as the coach is aiming to work on his ability to swing the new ball during the busy schedule.

“I think swing can be influenced by the environment and conditions on the day. The ball sometimes swings and sometimes doesn’t. "From my perspective, he (Afridi) won’t swing the ball every game, but we want him to work on that ability to swing the ball.” Pakistan’s bowling coach addressed this during a recent interaction.

“Whether it swings in or out is his choice, but we want him to consistently challenge the stumps. We’ve seen how dangerous he is when the ball swings into the right-hander, and he’s been working heavily on that lately.” Ashley Noffke concluded.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly banning the YouTuber, Sanaullah, after the former captain of the national side, Mohammed Hafeez, slammed the current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, during an old interview. He revealed the news on X (formerly known as Twitter), even though he didn’t disclose the inner details of the incident.

The user promised to give further clarification of the ban in a video. The claim remains unverified, but a few reports have confirmed the ban on Sanaullah in the contest. A few days ago, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced the schedule of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, as the Blue Brigade would also face the Green Brigade on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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A few months ago, the PCB announced a blanket ban on its players from participation in the future season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), as they accused the organizers of being biased and lacking sporting integrity. It came on the back of India’s decision to withdraw from the group-stage games against Pakistan, along with the semifinal clash.

PCB bans YouTuber after Mohammed Hafeez slams Mohsin Naqvi

A few days ago, Hafeez questioned the performance of the PCB chairman, stating that Naqvi isn’t suitable for cricket administration. In his tenure, Hafeez pointed out all the wrong decisions that caused significant damage to Pakistan cricket and all the mistakes that had been repeated multiple times.

PCB has banned me for just one statement about Mohsin Naqvi sb made by Muhammad Hafeez in an interview , which I will reveal in detail in my video on https://t.co/TZQQ0d4OAU this evening. Let me make one thing clear, those were Mr. Hafeez’s views, but my stance on the matter is… pic.twitter.com/1TbSJB707N

— Sanaullah Khan (@Sanaullahpaktv) August 21, 2025

“I don’t know what Mohsin Naqvi is good at, but I am certain he is not effective in cricket administration. As PCB chairman, he hasn’t contributed anything meaningful to the country’s cricket. During his tenure, five captains were changed, and the entire coaching staff was replaced. One mistake followed another, and every time a previous mistake was to be corrected, another wrong decision was made.” Hafeez expressed in the video.

“The biggest problem is that Pakistan cricket has no clear path forward. When management changes, the mindset changes; when the captain changes, the execution of skills changes entirely. There is no rebuilding process at the international level; you have to perform.” Hafeez criticized PCB’s idea of rebuilding the team.

Just a few weeks before the start of the Asia Cup 2025, the million-dollar question is whether India will take on Pakistan in the multi-side event. The Pahalgam terror attack has strained the fragile political situation between the two countries. Post that, India Champions withdrew their clash against the Green Brigade during the recent WLC 2025. 

The two-arch rivals are scheduled to meet on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a Group A fixture. Meanwhile, the Indian Sports Ministry has revealed that they would play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 and all the upcoming international events.

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"India’s Policy Towards International Sporting Events. India’s approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country. So far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India.” The Indian Sports Ministry issues a statement.  

India to play Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 as Indian Sports Ministry gives green light

Even before this update, the BCCI and PCB had already come to a mutual agreement where it was revealed that both sides would face each other in international events only in neutral venues. That’s why the Asia Cup 2025 fixture will take place in Dubai despite the Blue Brigade being the official hosts of the competition.

🚨 INDIAN GOVERNMENT DECISION ON PLAYING CRICKET WITH PAKISTAN 🚨 pic.twitter.com/vITvPZm9SR

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) August 21, 2025

“About international & multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of our sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events. Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan.” The Indian Sports Ministry added.  

“Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India. To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified.” It has been addressed.  

The former Pakistani left-arm fast bowler and captain, Wasim Akram, has given his suggestion on whether India should lock horns with Pakistan during the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The most anticipated clash is expected to take place on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Although India is the official host of the competition, the entire event will occur at a neutral venue. The mutual agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that neither of these two sides will host each other apart from neutral grounds during events.

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“Asia Cup schedule is out; there is backlash. But we, in Pakistan, are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don’t play. The game must go on. I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime. Politics apart, I am not a politician.” Akram expressed during a recent podcast on Stick to Cricket.

Watch: Wasim Akram sends ‘show must go on’ message for India-Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025

The last encounter between these two teams came in the Champions Trophy 2025 at the same venue where the Blue Brigade got the better of the Pakistan side quite comfortably. In the last 20-over fixture between these two sides during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States of America and the West Indies.

Game must go on . Wasim Akram pic.twitter.com/LiqNrVDWLJ

— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) August 19, 2025

“They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours. Let’s not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan, and the same goes for India. However, it’s easier said than done.” Akram addressed during the recent interaction on a cricket podcast.

The Asia Cup 2025 will happen across the two venues, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from September 09 to 28, featuring eight teams divided into two groups. Group A comprises India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while on the other hand, Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.

Along with Babar Azam, Pakistan’s ODI captain and wicket-keeper, Mohammed Rizwan, has not been picked up by the selection committee for the upcoming Tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed by the Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi.

This is a huge change in the plans and trends of the Green Brigade for the shortest format. Mohammed Rizwan has overall drilled 3414 runs in 93 innings at an average of 47.41 and a strike rate of more than 125 with the help of 30 half-centuries and one century at the best score of unbeaten 104 runs.

See Also: Pakistan’s strongest playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

During the recent season of the PSL in 2025, for the Multan Sultans, the veteran clubbed 367 runs in 10 innings at an average of 52.42 and a strike rate of 139.54, scoring one fifty and one century at the best score of unbeaten 105 runs. But just like Azam, Rizwan tends to slow down a lot inside the first six overs. His partnership at the opening position with Babar Azam hasn’t helped the national side on most occasions.

Why Mohammed Rizwan was not selected in Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad

Rizwan’s last T20I series came against South Africa away from home last year in December. He ended as the third leading run-getter of the series with 85 runs in two innings at an average of 42.50. But the biggest issue was his strike rate of around 113.33 with the best score of 74 runs. His 113 strike rate will hardly help during these modern T20Is.

“In Lahore, the surfaces were flat and the batting excelled. We went to Bangladesh, where there were incredibly challenging and low-scoring games. Our top order sets the game up. In all the games, we won, and the top order performed well. The third game in the West Indies, our openers put on 140 (138).” Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson, expressed during a recent interaction with the press.

“We need that at a run rate that gets us ahead of the game. T20 is all about setting the game up and being ahead of the game all the time, in case you get yourself out. From a batting point of view, we've got a line-up that can continue to do that.” Hesson addressed, which perhaps is an indication of the selectors taking their focus off Rizwan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 and the tri-series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have taken a huge decision by dropping both their veteran batters, Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan.

Neither player was in the T20I plans of the Salman Ali Agha-led side for the last few months. Babar and Rizwan tend to play slowly inside the first six overs of the T20I innings, which doesn’t match the excitement of the shortest format these days.

Pakistan’s squad for Asia Cup 2025

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khusdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem

Let’s take a look at Pakistan’s strongest playing eleven for Asia Cup 2025

Fakhar Zaman expected to bat at number three for Pakistan

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are expected to open the batting for the Green Brigade in the shortest format. The former has smashed 705 T20I runs in 34 innings at a strike rate of 137.15. During the third and final T20I of the series against West Indies in Lauderhill, he notched up 66 runs.

See Also: Why Babar Azam not selected in Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 squad

Sahibzada has slowly started to get along with their T20I plans, having drilled 315 runs in 15 innings at an average of 21 and a strike rate of 127.01 with the help of three fifties at the best score of 74 runs. Fakhar Zaman can be slotted at number three as the southpaw has smashed 1949 runs in 89 T20I innings at a strike rate of 131.77.

Mohammed Harris can play key role in Pakistan’s middle order

Mohammed Harris is expected to be the first-choice wicket-keeper batter of the side in the middle order. The right-handed batter has smashed a total of 391 runs in 23 innings at a strike rate of 145. Salman Ali Agha, the leader of the national side, will have to shoulder the responsibility of the national side.

The 31-year-old has clubbed 380 runs in 18 innings at a strike rate of just 115, with three fifties at the best score of 56 runs. Hasan Nawaz and Mohammed Nawaz will also be the vital two members of the side.

Mohammed Nawaz has the skill to smack the big shots around the park, coming late in the batting order, besides picking up wickets and drying up the runs in the middle overs of the innings. The southpaw has smacked 518 runs in 43 innings at a strike rate of 132.48 and picked up 60 wickets at an average of 24.36 and an economy rate of just over seven.

The middle order has been the biggest issue for the Green Brigade, and that’s where they will need to improve their batting and find better spinners in the middle overs to pick wickets.

No Nassem Shah for Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

It was surprising to see the selectors ignoring Naseem Shah for the Asia Cup 2025, which suggests that the selectors won’t have much trust in the premier pacer and could leave him out during the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Shaheen Afridi, without any doubt, will be the leader of the pace attack. The left-arm pacer has overall picked up 104 T20I wickets in 81 innings at an average of 22.25 and a strike rate of 16.9, along with an economy rate of just under eight. He has picked up crucial wickets for the side with the new ball.

On the other hand, Haris Rauf can challenge the batters with his expressive pace in the middle overs. Rauf has bagged a total of 120 wickets in 85 T20Is at an average of under 22 and an economy rate of 8.30, with the figures of 4/18 in an innings.

Sufian Muqeem has also recorded 21 wickets in 13 T20I innings at an average of under 12 and an economy rate of under six. His spin bowling has been hard to understand for the opposing sides, which could prove to be an advantage for the Green Brigade.

They will begin their competition against Oman on September 12, while two days later, they will lock horns with the arch-rivals, India, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The entire event will take place across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with no game scheduled to take place in Sharjah. Eyes will be on the team in what’s expected to be a new chapter in Pakistan’s T20I side.

Pakistan’s strongest playing XI for Asia Cup 2025

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammed Harris (wk..), Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammed Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza, Sufiyan Muqeem.