As Pakistan gears up for the Asia Cup 2025, the team management has announced a young 17-member squad earlier this week. The Pakistan side will be led by Salman Ali Agha, with notable exclusions like former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their omission, however, was not unexpected, as neither of the two had featured in any T20Is this year. On top of that, their below-average strike rates also pushed the selectors to look beyond the senior duo.
Since Mike Hesson took charge as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, he has stressed the importance of strike rate in modern T20 cricket. His selection philosophy seems clear in this squad announcement, as the management has prioritised aggressive run-scoring over traditional anchor roles. This reflects a shift in Pakistan’s approach, signalling that adaptability and attacking intent will be central to their game plan for the tournament.
Pakistan head into the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE with a new squad under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha. The team management, headed by coach Mike Hesson, has made a big call by leaving out senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, the team’s focus is on a younger, aggressive group of batters, along with a strong bowling unit.
With Pakistan placed in Group A alongside India, Oman, and the hosts, the UAE, their campaign will be closely followed. Before the 2025 Asia Cup, it’s crucial to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Salman Agha-led team.
SWOT Analysis of Pakistan Team
Strengths : Explosive top-order batting, fiery pace battery
Pakistan’s biggest strength is its strong top order. Fakhar Zaman’s return from injury is set to be an added advantage as he is expected to bring experience and power-hitting to the team. Alongside him, the likes of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris will provide attacking intent from the very start.
Farhan has been in terrific form with three half-centuries in six games at a strike rate close to 145. Meanwhile, Haris is expected to bring firepower, striking at nearly 155. This aggressive brand of batting is exactly what Pakistan were missing with the slower approach of Babar and Rizwan.
Pakistan’s biggest strength going into the Asia Cup 2025 lies in its explosive top order. The return of Fakhar Zaman from injury adds both experience and power-hitting to the lineup, while Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Haris promise to inject attacking intent right from the start.
Farhan has been in excellent touch, scoring three half-centuries in six matches at a strike rate of nearly 145, while Haris offers even more firepower with a strike rate close to 155. This aggressive approach is exactly what Pakistan had been missing with the slower-paced batting of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Farhan has been in excellent form this year, scoring three half-centuries in six matches at an impressive strike rate of 144.94. Saim Ayub is an exciting talent; although his recent performances have been inconsistent, his batting carries a special X-factor. Similarly, Fakhar is a proven match-winner with the bat. Mohammad Haris, the designated wicket-keeper batter, boasts a strike rate of 154.97. With such options, Pakistan’s strength clearly lies in their top order.
There are plenty of explosive options at the top, but as you move down the batting order, some weaknesses in the squad could be exposed. Salman averages 36.67 in 14 T20Is this year, though his strike rate has been a modest 124.53. What is puzzling is the inclusion of Hussain Talat, who has played just one T20I this year, and Khushdil Shah, whose average is below 15 and strike rate under 100. The only in-form middle-order player is Hasan Nawaz, who has been a revelation since his debut against New Zealand.
Faheem Ashraf is the squad’s only specialist seam-bowling all-rounder. His strike rate with the bat is close to 150, while with the ball he has been effective, taking six wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 8.24 this year. Mohammad Nawaz won the Player of the Series award in Pakistan’s last T20 assignment in the Caribbean but has a history of underperforming in multi-nation tournaments.
He began as an opener but was later moved down the order to fill the middle-order gaps. In 14 innings, the aggressive batter has smashed 27 sixes and will be a key part of Pakistan’s middle order in the UAE.
And it’s not just batting, Pakistan’s world-class pace attack also stands out. The star duo of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, will be backed by Mohammad Wasim Jr. and left-armer Salman Mirza. The bowling unit has the firepower to make an impact in UAE conditions. Their ability to strike with both the new and old ball adds to Pakistan’s threat level.
The pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali is strong and experienced, with good backups in Mohammad Wasim Jr and emerging left-arm pacer Salman Mirza. This fast-bowling group offers both variety and depth. Pakistan’s spin options are equally intriguing, with Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem leading the charge, supported by the versatile Nawaz, captain Salman and Khushdil.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s pace attack has always been world-class. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali will form a clinical trio, supported by Mohammad Wasim Jr and left-armer Salman Mirza. Their experience in UAE conditions and ability to strike with both new and old ball make Pakistan’s bowling a threat. The Men in Green’s spin options of Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem will look to exploit the conditions in their favour.
In the spin department, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem will look to take advantage of the conditions and provide crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Weaknesses : Inconsistency and lack of firepower in middle-order
One of Pakistan’s major weaknesses heading into the Asia Cup 2025 is their fragile middle order. Barring the young Hasan Nawaz, most middle-order batters have struggled for form. Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah have posted disappointing numbers with low averages and strike rates, while skipper Salman Ali Agha himself has managed only a modest strike rate of just over 124 this year.
Pakistan’s noticeable weakness is its middle order. Apart from the young Hasan Nawaz, the other batters in this area have struggled. Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah have poor recent numbers, with low averages and strike rates. Even skipper Salman Ali Agha has had a modest strike rate of just over 124 this year. The lack of firepower in the middle overs could expose Pakistan if their top order collapses.
Another concern is the inconsistent performances of some youngsters. Saim Ayub has shown moments of brilliance but hasn’t yet converted his potential into consistent performances. Similar issues exist with Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, who often blow hot and cold in multi-nation tournaments.
This lack of firepower in the middle overs could become a big problem if the top order fails to deliver. Another area of concern is the inconsistency of some of Pakistan’s younger players. Saim Ayub has shown flashes of talent but has not yet managed to convert that into consistent performances. Similar problems persist with Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, who often struggle in big multinational tournaments. This unpredictability could hurt Pakistan’s chances against stronger opponents.
Opportunities : Can Pakistan shine without Babar-Rizwan
The Asia Cup 2025 is a golden chance to get their T20 record on track. With Babar Azam and Rizwan left out, this is the perfect opportunity for promising players like Farhan, Haris, and Hasan Nawaz to make a name for themselves on the biggest level. A strong campaign would not boost immense confidence in the team’s plans for the T20 World Cup in 2026.
Pakistan have a golden chance to reset their T20 record, especially with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan left out, opening the door for youngsters. Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris, and Hasan Nawaz will need to prove themselves on the big stage. A strong showing would give the team a huge confidence boost ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Adding to their advantage, the tournament will be played in the UAE, conditions that traditionally suit Pakistan’s style with both pace and spin.
Another opportunity is shining in familiar conditions. The UAE has traditionally suited Pakistan’s style of cricket, with their fast bowlers enjoying help and their spinners often playing a big role. Set to play a tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE just before the Asia Cup, Pakistan will look to be well-prepared before entering the tournament.
Threats : Inconsistency and the pressure of expectations
Pakistan’s biggest threat has always been putting itself in a hit-or-miss situation. Recent results saw them suffer defeat at the hands of West Indies in an ODI series but win the T20Is by a 1-2 margin. Similarly, they were outplayed by Bangladesh before bouncing back in the final game. This hot-and-cold form makes them unpredictable in big tournaments like the Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s biggest threat going into the tournament is their inconsistency, often swinging between strong wins and unexpected losses, as seen in recent series against West Indies and Bangladesh. This hot-and-cold form makes them unpredictable in major tournaments
Another point to be added is the pressure of expectations, without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, any failure of the aggressive new-look top order will spark heavy debate. Injuries also remain a lingering concern, with key players like Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi and Saim Ayub having a history of fitness issues that could disrupt their campaign.
Another threat is the pressure of expectations. With Babar and Rizwan left out, every failure of the new-look batting unit will trigger immense debate. If the aggressive top order fails against quality bowling attacks, the Men in Green could find themselves under scrutiny. Lastly, injuries have always been a risk, especially with players like Zaman, Afridi, and Ayub having a history of fitness concerns.
Overall, Pakistan boasts a fairly youthful squad with solid options at the top and a balanced bowling line-up. However, their middle order presents a potential weakness as this middle-order muddle could come back to haunt them. Success for this team will hinge on moments of individual brilliance rather than collective consistency. As ever with Pakistan in T20 cricket, it is their mercurial unpredictability that ensures they cannot be counted out.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup 2025
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Also Read: UAE T20I Tri-Series 2025: 3 Reasons For Pakistan’s Shocking Loss to Afghanistan.