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Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad faces weight of expectations | The Express Tribune
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s recently announced squad has once again sparked debates among fans and experts alike.
With a mix of youthful talent and bold exclusions, the selection raises an important question: has the PCB finally struck the right balance, or is this another gamble on the big stage?
The PCB confirmed Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming tri-series against UAE and Afghanistan, followed by the Asia Cup 2025. On paper, the side looks fresh, energetic, and hungry to prove itself. Yet, for a tournament of this magnitude—where Pakistan has not lifted the trophy since 2012—the absence of experience looms large.
Since Pakistan’s last Asia Cup win, Sri Lanka have claimed titles in 2014 and 2022, while India dominated in 2016, 2018, and 2023. Pakistan came close in 2022, under Babar Azam’s leadership, but lost the final from a winning position.
A year later, under his leadership, the team crashed out in fourth place. That painful history makes this squad announcement all the more significant.
No two omissions have created more noise than those of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Both were once seen as the backbone of Pakistan’s T20I side, but the stats reveal why the selectors chose a different path.
Babar last played a T20I in 2024, and since that year’s T20 World Cup, he has gone 10 matches — including the mega event — without scoring a single fifty. His strike rate in this period is 118.59 at an average of 26.22.
Rizwan’s case is even worse. In his last 8 T20Is, he managed just 211 runs at a strike rate of 94.19. His knocks of 16 off 26 against Australia, 74 off 62 against South Africa, and 31 off 44 against India in the T20 World Cup were game-changing—but for the wrong reasons.
These numbers show why the selectors felt justified in moving on. For too long, Pakistan’s top order has been accused of playing “anchor cricket” in a format that demands fearless hitting.
In their place, Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Haris bring a refreshing intent. Farhan, with three Player of the Match awards in his last six T20Is, has shown he can deliver under pressure. Haris, too, has the aggressive mindset Pakistan’s batting has been crying out for.
The bowling department looks balanced. Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the attack with form and confidence, having topped the wicket charts in the PSL 10. In contrast, Naseem Shah’s exclusion seems harsh to some fans, but the numbers are telling—an economy rate of 8.01 and an average of 34.68 in T20Is does not inspire confidence. His ODI performances may be solid, but in T20 cricket, he remains costly.
The spin department could prove decisive, especially in UAE conditions. Mohammad Nawaz’s all-round utility, along with Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed, offers flexibility.
Pakistan’s middle order finally shows signs of balance. Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz, and Khushdil Shah are capable of finishing games with power. Yet, the key lies with Salman Ali Agha, the newly appointed skipper. His ability to anchor chases, rotate strike, and handle spin will be vital in UAE conditions. This leadership test could define not just Pakistan’s Asia Cup but also his captaincy career.
Dropping big names like Babar and Rizwan is never easy. For years, they were considered “untouchables” in Pakistan cricket. But cricket is a game of evolution, and their inability to adapt to the modern T20 tempo made this move inevitable.
Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 carries the energy of youth, the sharpness of new talent, and a clear intent to play fearless cricket. But the real question remains: will this new look side rise to the occasion, or will inexperience cost Pakistan another shot at silverware?
One thing is certain—all eyes will be on this squad. And if they click, the Asia Cup drought since 2012 may finally come to an end.
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The New York Mets have reportedly made a big addition to their lineup.
The Mets and Bo Bichette are in agreement on a three-year, $126 million contract on Friday, according to multiple reports. After falling short in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, who reportedly signed a whopping four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets pivoted to Bichette.
The deal includes opt-outs after both the first and second seasons of the contract, according to multiple reports.
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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) runs after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game 7 of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)
Bichette, 27, had a good season for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, hitting .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 135 games. He sustained a knee injury in September during a collision at home plate and missed the remainder of the regular season, the ALDS and ALCS.
He returned in the World Series and was a big contributor to the Blue Jays, who were just two outs away from winning it all. In seven World Series games, Bichette hit .348 with one home run and six RBI.
However, during the World Series, he moved off his normal position of shortstop and manned second base, because of his limited mobility with the injury. Bichette graded out poorly as a defensive shortstop regardless, and it does not appear that the Mets signed him to play shortstop, as they have Francisco Lindor there currently, who is a good defender.
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Bo Bichette (11) of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two-RBI single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium. The game was played in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 28, 2025. (Harry How/Getty Images)
The Mets acquired Marcus Semien to play second base from the Texas Rangers earlier in the offseason, and he won a Gold Glove last season. With Semien and Lindor seemingly locked into second base and shortstop, respectively, it appears the Mets signed Bichette to play third base.
Bichette has never played third base in his professional career. If the Mets do indeed try Bichette at third base, it would mean their corner infielders could be making their professional debuts at their respective positions.
The Mets signed Jorge Polanco earlier this offseason to be their first baseman, despite him having never played there in his big-league career.
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Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette watches his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Regardless of how the Mets align their infield, Bichette is a major boost to the top of their lineup. In seven seasons, Bichette is a career .294 hitter with 111 home runs and 437 RBI, along with 60 stolen bases.
The top of the Mets lineup will look very different next season with the additions of Bichette and Semien, along with mainstays Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil all having departed in free agency or via trade.
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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced that the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off on Thursday, March 26, featuring eight teams following the inclusion of two new franchises.
The date was decided during the meeting of PSL Governing Council convened at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday evening to finalise preparations for the upcoming season, according to a press release issued by the cricket board.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives of all eight PSL franchises, along with PCB and PSL officials.
The council welcomed the new team owners of Sialkot and Hyderabad to the PSL family and congratulated the board and league officials on the successful conclusion of the new teams auction.
The two new PSL franchises were acquired by FKS Group and OZ Developers for a whopping Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively.
Detailed discussions during the meeting covered the schedule of PSL 11, player retentions, the adoption of the player auction or a hybrid format called ‘drauction’, and the option of opening direct signings.
It was confirmed that PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March, ushering in a new era for the league.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a working group set to convene on Saturday to deliberate further on remaining agenda items. The governing council will reconvene immediately as required to finalise decisions.
The PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018, further grown with the addition of two new franchises in its 11th edition.
PSL 2026 matches will be hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and, for the first time, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, marking the venue’s debut as a PSL host city.
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