After Babar Azam & Rizwan ignored for the Asian Cup, the Pakistani selector has control of the damage

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were both excluded from the Pakistani team for the 2025 Asian Cup. And why not. The duo hadn’t even played a single T20i match in 2025, and instead, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan deserved a chance. Addressing the non-selection of Babar and Ricewan, the Pakistani selector Aaqib Javed offered an explanation.

End of the road to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan?

He continued by saying that the team had been selected on the basis of merit and people like Babar and Rizwan were not ignored. “Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not one of the three previous series, while Saim, Fakhar and Sahibzada Farhan presented in the first order,” said Aaqib, quoted by Geosuper.

“It is not like you don’t know someone or select someone according to the performances of two games. These things are often highlighted in the media, but as a player, you are facing different challenges at different times. Everyone who wants to play have opportunities,” he added. He also pointed out that in T20 cricket, the strike rate and the capacity to mark races are of the utmost importance.

Aaqib Javed says that players have not ignored

It is important to note that the Babar & Rice strike rate in the format is respectively a poor 129 and 125. “In the T20 cricket, two factors are crucial: your ability to score races and your striking rate according to the situation and the match environment. This is what we still consider.”

Aaqib assured that the duo does not turn completely. “It is not that we have completely sidelined them. The current choices reflect the way a player is developing. I gave examples of Sahibzada Farhan, Saim and Fakhar. Sahibzada made a return, Saim initially struggled but later created an impact,” he said.

Pakistan can beat India, feels selector

“You cannot put a full end on the career of any player-the opportunities are still there. Right now, they are acquiring experience in leagues like The Big Bash and PSL. The one who plays will play, and only those who play deserve to play,” he added.

In the context of India VS Pakistan matches, the selector said: “The Pakistan T20 team can beat India. India matches vs Pakistan are still huge. This team of 17 members can defeat any team. We should not exert pressure on them, but I have great hopes for this team, “he said.