Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is being considered for a possible return to the T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, following an injury to opener Fakhar Zaman during the West Indies series.
Speculation began swirling online after Fakhar picked up a hamstring injury in the T20I leg of the ongoing tour. The injury has ruled him out of both the T20I and ODI formats in the Caribbean.
With the tri-nation series approaching quickly and no confirmed recovery timeline for Fakhar, concerns are mounting over Pakistan’s opening options for the Asia Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has instructed Fakhar to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, where he will undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical staff.
While there’s no definitive update on Fakhar’s availability for the Asia Cup, sources close to the PCB suggest that alternative plans are already being explored in case he doesn’t recover in time.
Social media reports have hinted that Babar Azam could be recalled to the T20I squad if Fakhar is ruled out. However, any decision regarding Babar’s return is expected to be influenced by his form in the current ODI series against the West Indies.
If Babar delivers strong performances, it could pave the way for his inclusion in the squad ahead of the tournament.
Interestingly, Babar, along with Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah, was seen meeting PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the second T20I against West Indies—further fuelling speculation.
The final squad for the Asia Cup is likely to be unveiled in the second week of August.
Asia Cup 2025: Key Details
The ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 is set to kick off on September 9 with a Group B clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
The tournament will feature eight teams split into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
Pakistan’s group-stage schedule:
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September 12: Pakistan vs Oman
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September 14: Pakistan vs India
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September 17: Pakistan vs UAE
Full Schedule – Asia Cup 2025
Group Stage
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Sep 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
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Sep 10: India vs UAE
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Sep 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
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Sep 12: Pakistan vs Oman
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Sep 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
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Sep 14: India vs Pakistan
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Sep 15: UAE vs Oman
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Sep 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
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Sep 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
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Sep 17: Pakistan vs UAE
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Sep 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
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Sep 19: India vs Oman
Super Four Stage
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Sep 20: B1 vs B2
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Sep 21: A1 vs A2
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Sep 23: A2 vs B1
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Sep 24: A1 vs B2
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Sep 25: A2 vs B2
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Sep 26: A1 vs B1
Final
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Sep 28
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