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Ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistan's new T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha, faced scrutiny after a journalist's comment about Afghanistan's T20 World Cup performance sparked a viral reaction. As Agha leads a young team, Pakistan aims to regain consistency in the upcoming tri-series against Afghanistan and UAE.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced its squad for the upcoming UAE tri-series and Asia Cup 2025, surprisingly omitting Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated the decision was made by selectors based on merit, emphasizing a focus on power-hitters and a long-term vision to introduce new talent. Salman Ali Agha will captain the team.

Mohammad Rizwan's struggles continue as he faces setbacks, including being dropped from the Asia Cup squad and demoted in PCB contracts. His poor form extended to the CPL, where he was dismissed for just 3 runs, leading to social media trolling. Pakistan cricket is facing a decline across formats, marked by inconsistent performances and early exits from major tournaments.

Following his exclusion from Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 squad and demotion in central contracts, Babar Azam is diligently working on his batting skills at the Ghani Institute of Cricket in Lahore. Selectors have omitted both Babar and Mohammad Rizwan from the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup squad, opting for a team led by Salman Ali Agha.

Pakstan coach Mike Hesson suggests Babar Azam's T20I return hinges on Big Bash League performance, emphasizing the need for improvement against spin and a better strike rate. Selectors have sidelined him from upcoming tournaments, prioritizing players who can maintain a faster run rate. Pakstan's Asia Cup campaign begins on September 12.