Pakistani batters Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam make a run throughout a match towards South Africa performed at Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, India on October 27, 2023. —Reuters
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has distanced himself from the choice to exclude high gamers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the nationwide squad for the upcoming ACC Males’s Asia Cup 2025.
“First of all, I don’t have a 1% role in selecting or dropping anyone. We have a selection committee and advisory body; they sit together and hold several lengthy meetings [to select the team],” mentioned Naqvi whereas speaking to the media in Lahore.
Babar and Rizwan, who represented Pakistan in each multi-lateral event for the reason that ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2021 within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have been out of favour within the shortest format for the reason that three-match away collection towards South Africa in December final yr.
The duo in the end did not make it to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming Asia Cup as the previous champions shift their focus to grooming kids forward of subsequent yr’s T20 World Cup.
Their snub from the continental event drew extreme backlash from followers and has been the purpose of debate amongst cricket pundits for the reason that announcement of the Pakistan squad.
Naqvi, who presided over the cricket board’s eightieth Board of Governors (BoG) assembly earlier at present, reiterated that the nationwide groups are chosen solely on advantage by the choice committee and advisors, denying his involvement within the course of.
“Definitely, if they are selecting a team, so I have full faith in them. They are professional, and I instructed them to make the decisions on merit.
“Rest, whatever the lot was available, we polished them and carried forward, and by the will of Almighty Allah, our strive would be to further explore young talent so that the competition grows.”
When requested about wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan’s future as Pakistan’s ODI captain, Naqvi mentioned: “Selectors will make a decision. Head coach has submitted his report after our last contested ODI.”
“We are going through it, and after mutual consultation, whatever is decided will be conveyed,” he added.
Rizwan, who was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October 2024, succeeding star batter Babar Azam, had a dream begin to his tenure because the nationwide staff received three consecutive bilateral collection, together with historic triumphs away towards Australia and South Africa.
The nationwide staff’s efficiency beneath Rizwan’s captaincy, nonetheless, deteriorated considerably as they misplaced the tri-nation collection towards South Africa and New Zealand earlier than struggling a group-stage exit from the ICC Males’s Champions Trophy 2025 in dwelling situations.
Pakistan squad for Tri-series and Asia Cup 2025
Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (C), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
