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Babar Azam
Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against India on September 28 in Dubai, surprising news has emerged from the Pakistan camp regarding Babar Azam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly made a late attempt to reinstate Babar to strengthen the struggling batting line-up in the tournament.
Pakistan’s consecutive losses to India in the Asia Cup 2025—first in the group stage on September 14, followed by the Super Four clash on September 21—have not only impacted their campaign but also sparked urgent discussions within the PCB.
As a result, the Pakistan team management and selectors have been feeling the absence of Babar in the ongoing Asia Cup. Local media reports indicate that the PCB attempted to bring the former captain back into the squad mid-tournament.
The board believed Babar’s experience and composed presence could stabilize Pakistan’s fragile batting order, which has struggled to find form.
However, the Asia Cup organisers reportedly rejected the request, stating that a replacement could only be made if a current squad member was injured, despite PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also serving as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Notably, Babar last represented Pakistan in T20Is in December 2024.
With Babar now back in consideration, the future of Pakistan’s current T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, both as captain and player, may hinge on his performance in the final against India.
A report by Cricket Pakistan stated, “Sources have revealed a strong possibility of Babar Azam returning for the T20I series against South Africa. The batting line-up has consistently underperformed, and the absence of a senior batter is being keenly felt. Salman Ali Agha’s role as captain and player will be decided based on his performance in the remaining Asia Cup match.”
“Following two defeats to India, PCB officials instructed that Babar Azam be brought back into the team. A few days ago, it was even decided to send the senior batter to the UAE for the Asia Cup, but the organizers clarified that no changes could be made to the squad unless a player was injured." the report added.