Imagine waking up one morning, scrolling through your feed, and seeing the headline: “Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for Asia Cup 2025.”
Shocking, right? For years, the sight of Babar and Rizwan walking out to open for Pakistan felt like a routine – almost a comfort zone for fans. These two weren’t just batters; they were pillars, the backbone of Pakistan’s batting order. And now, suddenly, that chapter seems to be closing.
But let’s take a step back. Why did this happen?
From Comfort Zone To Criticism
Let’s rewind a bit.
For years, Pakistan’s T20 story began with two men walking out together: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t reckless – it was steady, composed, almost old-school. They’d bat deep, anchor the innings, and give Pakistan a sense of calm at the top.
Remember the 2021 T20 World Cup match against India? That unbeaten 152-run stand between Babar and Rizwan wasn’t just a partnership – it was a statement, a memory etched in history. In moments like those, fans felt untouchable, like Pakistan had finally cracked the T20 code.
But T20 cricket is cruel – it doesn’t stand still. Other teams began pushing the boundaries, literally. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Travis Head, and Phil Salt showed the world that in T20s, you don’t wait, you attack. Pakistan, on the other hand, kept relying on anchors. Suddenly, what once felt reliable began to feel outdated.
And that’s when the murmurs grew louder: “Strike rate problem hai.”
The Bold Decision
Fast forward to 2025. The selectors, led by Aqib Javed and coach Mike Hesson, finally pulled the trigger. The Asia Cup squad was announced – and it was glaringly clear. No Babar. No Rizwan. Instead, the team featured a bunch of youngsters known for power-hitting, fearlessness, and strike rates north of 150.
The message? Pakistan was done playing catch-up. They wanted to play modern T20 cricket, even if it meant dropping their most decorated names.
Hesson even explained it bluntly: “There’s no doubt Babar Azam’s been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate. Those are things he’s working really hard on but at the moment the players we have, have done exceptionally well.” Rizwan too, was left in the same bracket – valued, but not aligned with the new vision.
The Emotional Earthquake
But let’s talk about the fans for a second. Because cricket isn’t just numbers and strategies – it’s emotions.
For many, Babar Azam isn’t just Pakistan’s former captain. He’s the pride of a generation, and the one who carried the batting lineup on his shoulders. And Rizwan? He’s the warrior who played through injuries, who fought till the last ball, who wore his heart on his sleeve.
Their exclusion feels almost personal. The social media buzz says it all. From shock to anger to heartbreak, the reactions have been overwhelming.
“Pakistan team without Babar and Rizwan? What’s this new experiment?” is the most common question during the rounds.
The Road Ahead
Still, one can’t deny that this move might just be what Pakistan needs. A breath of fresh air. A bold gamble. A chance to match the intensity of teams like India, Australia, and England, who’ve embraced ultra-aggressive cricket.
But here’s the tricky part: while young guns can bring firepower, can they bring consistency? Can they handle the pressure of Asia Cup knockouts? Can they give Pakistan the calm assurance that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan did for years.
Because as much as cricket needs strike rates, it also needs stability. And that’s where the loss will truly be felt.
A Transition, Not An End
The selectors are clear – this isn’t the end of the road. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have the chance to fight back, to reinvent themselves, to return stronger. We’ve seen legends do it before – players written off, only to make roaring comebacks.
So maybe, just maybe, this story isn’t about Pakistan saying goodbye to its stars. It’s about pressing pause, about demanding evolution, about creating space for a new playing style.
Final Thoughts
In cricket, eras come and go. We’ve seen India move on from Dhoni, Australia from Ponting, Sri Lanka from Sangakkara. Now, Pakistan faces its own transition. The Asia Cup 2025 will be remembered not just for the cricket played, but for the brave call Pakistan made – the day they decided to step into a new T20 world without their two most trusted men.
And as fans, we’re left with mixed feelings. Excitement for the future. Anxiety about the present. And nostalgia for the past.
Because no matter what the stats say, watching Babar’s cover drive and Rizwan’s grit was a feeling. And that’s not easy to replace.
So, buckle up. This Asia Cup isn’t just another tournament – it’s the beginning of a new story. The question is: will it be a blockbuster, or a lesson in regret?
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025 : Ravichandran Ashwin Backs Yashasvi Jaiswal For Marquee Tournament