Pakistan’s preparations for the Asia Cup 2025 have taken a major hit, with star all-rounder Shadab Khan expected to miss the tournament due to a long-standing shoulder injury. According to a report from PTI, the leg-spinning all-rounder is set to undergo surgery, ruling him out for at least three months — a timeline that casts serious doubt over his availability for the high-profile event.
Shadab has been battling shoulder issues for quite some time, and while he’s played through the discomfort in recent series, medical opinion now favors surgical intervention. If confirmed, this will sideline him not only for the Asia Cup but also for upcoming bilateral series against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
The news comes at a delicate time for Pakistan cricket. After a disappointing showing in the Champions Trophy 2025 — where they failed to make the semifinals despite playing on home soil — the side faced a heavy defeat in New Zealand, losing both the T20I and ODI series in dominant fashion. A 3-0 win against an inexperienced Bangladesh side at home offered some relief, but the potential absence of Shadab raises new questions about the team’s stability and squad depth.
From a performance perspective, Shadab has been among Pakistan’s most dependable white-ball cricketers. He had a notable season in PSL 2025 with Islamabad United, picking up 14 wickets and contributing key runs in the lower order. In the recent series against Bangladesh, he maintained an impressive economy rate and was a steady presence in the bowling attack. His absence will not only be felt in the field but also in the leadership group, where he has often played a supporting role to the captain.
With the Asia Cup 2025 likely to begin in the second week of September — reports suggest September 10 as the tentative date — and the venue expected to be UAE or under a hybrid model, Pakistan will now have to rethink their squad combination. The Asian Cricket Council is yet to announce the official schedule, but the loss of an experienced all-rounder like Shadab so close to the tournament adds a layer of uncertainty for the men in green.
India, the designated host, may still not host the matches involving Pakistan, due to ongoing political tensions. If Shadab is indeed ruled out, it will also mark the second consecutive major tournament he misses due to injury concerns, raising longer-term fitness questions around one of Pakistan’s most valuable assets in white-ball cricket.
As fans wait for clarity on the schedule and team news, this development has already begun to shift the narrative around Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign.
