The Asia Cup 2025 is fast approaching, and excitement is building across Pakistan. Scheduled to take place in India this September, the tournament promises high-stakes clashes, especially with the cricketing rivalry between Pakistan and India at its peak.
But what does Pakistan’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025 look like?
Will we see a new era of young stars, or will experienced names continue to lead?
Here’s a full breakdown of Pakistan’s updated squad, captaincy decisions, and predicted playing XI — based on current form, fitness, and team strategy.
Why Asia Cup 2025 Matters for Pakistan
The Asia Cup 2025 isn’t just another tournament for Pakistan — it’s a golden opportunity to:
- Test the new leadership under Salman Ali Agha.
- Prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026.
- Build a stronger bench strength with young, dynamic players.
- Regain dominance over Asian rivals, especially India.
After an unstable 2023-24 season, this tournament marks the beginning of a new era for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan T20I Captain for Asia Cup 2025
Salman Ali Agha is officially leading Pakistan’s T20I side into Asia Cup 2025.
Appointed in early 2025, Salman represents a new generation of leadership — aggressive, tactical, and fearless.
He’s expected to bring balance between youthful aggression and calm decision-making under pressure.
Vice-Captain is expected to remain Shadab Khan, offering backup leadership and experience.
Predicted Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Here’s the most accurate and realistic predicted squad for Pakistan based on current T20 performances, latest selections, and PSL 2025 form:
| No | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammad Haris | Wicket-Keeper Batsman |
| 2 | Saim Ayub | Opening Batsman |
| 3 | Babar Azam | Top-Order Batsman |
| 4 | Fakhar Zaman | Top-Order Batsman |
| 5 | Salman Ali Agha (C) | Middle-Order Batsman, All-Rounder |
| 6 | Iftikhar Ahmed | Middle-Order Batsman |
| 7 | Shadab Khan (VC) | All-Rounder |
| 8 | Aamer Jamal | Fast Bowling All-Rounder |
| 9 | Usama Mir | Leg-Spinner |
| 10 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
| 12 | Abbas Afridi | Fast Bowler |
| 13 | Mohammad Wasim Jr. | All-Rounder (Fast Bowling) |
| 14 | Saud Shakeel | Batsman |
| 15 | Zaman Khan | Death Overs Specialist (Pacer) |
Why These Players?
🔵 Young Blood: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi bring freshness and attacking intent.
🔵 Experience: Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan add calmness and structure.
🔵 Death Bowling Focus: Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan, and Naseem Shah strengthen the bowling in the death overs.
🔵 Variety in Spin: Usama Mir’s aggressive wrist spin adds much-needed middle-over breakthroughs.
Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan – Asia Cup 2025
- Mohammad Haris (Wicket-Keeper Batsman)
- Saim Ayub (Opener)
- Babar Azam (Top-Order Batsman)
- Fakhar Zaman (Top-Order Batsman)
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain, Middle-Order Batsman)
- Iftikhar Ahmed (Middle-Order Power Hitter)
- Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain, All-Rounder)
- Aamer Jamal (All-Rounder)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pace Spearhead)
- Naseem Shah (Fast Bowler)
- Usama Mir (Leg Spinner)
This XI strikes a perfect balance between aggression, experience, and depth in both departments.
Key Strategies for Asia Cup 2025
- Powerplay Dominance: Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris are tasked to exploit the fielding restrictions with aggressive starts.
- Solid Middle-Order: Babar and Salman provide stability, while Iftikhar and Shadab offer finishing firepower.
- Bowling Firepower: With Shaheen, Naseem, and Zaman Khan, Pakistan has one of the deadliest pace attacks in Asia.
- Spin Advantage: Usama Mir and Shadab Khan will handle middle overs and restrict opposition scoring.
Asia Cup 2025 Structure
- Host: India, Sirilanka & UAE (expected)
- Format: T20I
- Teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, UAE, Hong Kong, Oman
- Stages: Group Stage → Super Four → Final
Where to Watch Asia Cup 2025
| Region | TV Channels | Streaming Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Ten Sports, PTV Sports | Tamasha, Tapmad |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+ Hotstar |
| UK | TNT Sports | Discovery+ |
| USA/Canada | Willow TV | ESPN+, Hotstar |
| Australia/NZ | Fox Sports, Sky Sport | Kayo Sports, Sky Go |
| Middle East | CricLife, StarzPlay | Switch TV |
Final Thoughts
The Asia Cup 2025 could be the start of a glorious new chapter for Pakistan cricket.
With fresh leadership under Salman Ali Agha and a balanced mix of youth and experience, this team has the potential to conquer Asia and lay down a strong marker ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Pakistani fans can expect an aggressive, fearless brand of cricket, with a squad that is hungry to bring the trophy home.
Stay tuned for official announcements, injury updates, and final squad confirmations as the tournament nears!
FAQs: Pakistan Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Q1: Who is Pakistan’s captain for the Asia Cup 2025?
Salman Ali Agha is leading Pakistan’s T20I squad into the Asia Cup 2025.
Q2: Is Babar Azam still part of the team?
Yes, Babar Azam remains a vital part of Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Q3: Will Mohammad Haris play in Asia Cup 2025?
Yes, Mohammad Haris is expected to feature as a middle-order batsman and backup wicketkeeper.
Q4: Who are the key bowlers for Pakistan?
Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Zaman Khan form a lethal pace attack.
Q5: When will Pakistan announce the official squad?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to announce the final squad by mid-August 2025.
