The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member T20 International squad for the upcoming UAE tri-series and the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025. With Salman Agha leading the side, the team features an exciting mix of seasoned players and young talents who have been making waves in domestic and franchise cricket. This selection reflects Pakistan’s strategy of building a balanced side that can handle both the short-term challenges of T20 cricket and the long-term vision of creating a strong core for the future.
Full Pakistan T20I Squad
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Salman Agha (c)
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Sahibzada Farhan
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Saim Ayub
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Mohammad Haris (wk)
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Hasan Nawaz
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Khushdil Shah
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Faheem Ashraf
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Hussain Talat
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Mohammad Nawaz
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Abrar Ahmed
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Sufiyan Muqeem
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Shaheen Afridi
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Haris Rauf
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Hasan Ali
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Mohammad Wasim
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Salman Mirza
Leadership Under Salman Agha
The standout talking point from this squad announcement is the appointment of Salman Agha as captain. Known for his calm demeanor and consistency in the middle order, Salman has shown leadership qualities in domestic cricket and now has the chance to prove himself at the international level.
His ability to anchor the innings while rotating strike, coupled with his part-time spin option, makes him a flexible player in the T20 setup. The PCB seems to be investing in a leader who can guide both senior stars and emerging players through pressure situations in tournaments like the Asia Cup.
Batting Strength: Blend of Experience and Youth
Pakistan’s batting lineup looks solid on paper, combining flair with reliability.
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Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are two of the most exciting young openers. Both are natural stroke-makers who can set the tone early in the innings.
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Fakhar Zaman, with his wealth of experience and proven record in ICC tournaments, provides stability at the top order. His aggressive approach against fast bowlers will be crucial in UAE conditions where the ball comes onto the bat nicely.
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Khushdil Shah and Hussain Talat bring left-handed options in the middle order, offering variety and the ability to accelerate when needed.
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Hasan Nawaz, a rising star, has been rewarded for his consistent domestic performances. His inclusion shows Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing young talent.
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Behind the stumps, Mohammad Haris adds dynamism. Known for his fearless hitting, Haris can change the momentum of a game in a few overs.
This blend of young firepower and experienced campaigners gives Pakistan the flexibility to adapt to different match situations.
All-Rounders Holding the Balance
All-rounders have always played a vital role in Pakistan’s T20 strategy, and this squad is no exception.
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Faheem Ashraf provides crucial lower-order hitting power and seam-bowling options.
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Mohammad Nawaz continues to be a key figure with his left-arm spin and handy batting. His ability to bowl in the powerplay makes him a valuable asset.
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Captain Salman Agha himself adds depth as an all-round option.
With these three in the mix, Pakistan has the luxury of flexibility in team combinations depending on pitch conditions.
Bowling Attack: Pace and Spin Variety
Pakistan’s bowling has traditionally been their strongest suit, and the current squad boasts a fearsome attack.
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Shaheen Afridi leads the pace battery with his lethal swing and yorkers. He remains Pakistan’s biggest weapon in T20 cricket.
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Haris Rauf brings raw pace and aggression, often tasked with death overs.
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Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim add depth, both capable of bowling at different stages of the innings.
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Salman Mirza, relatively less experienced, offers another pace option and will be eager to prove himself.
In the spin department, Pakistan has gone for variety:
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Abrar Ahmed, known for his mystery spin, can be a game-changer in UAE’s slow conditions.
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Sufiyan Muqeem, a promising left-arm spinner, adds freshness to the squad and gives Pakistan another wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
This mix of pace and spin ensures that Pakistan can adjust their attack depending on the opposition and pitch conditions.
Pakistan’s Chances in the UAE Tri-Series and Asia Cup
The UAE has historically been a favorable venue for Pakistan. The pitches usually support both fast bowlers and spinners, while the batting conditions are reliable under lights. With such a balanced squad, Pakistan is well-positioned to compete strongly in both tournaments.
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In the tri-series, the focus will be on testing different combinations and giving younger players a chance to settle.
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In the Asia Cup, where pressure is higher due to regional rivalries, Pakistan will rely on experienced campaigners like Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Nawaz to deliver match-winning performances.
If Pakistan’s top order clicks and their bowlers deliver their usual firepower, they have a strong chance of reaching the finals in both events.
Conclusion
The announcement of Pakistan’s T20I squad for the UAE tri-series and Asia Cup 2025 has generated excitement among fans. With Salman Agha at the helm, a solid batting lineup, versatile all-rounders, and a world-class bowling attack, Pakistan looks ready to make a strong statement.
This squad represents not just a team for two tournaments but also the future direction of Pakistan’s T20 cricket. The blend of youth and experience, along with leadership stability, could help Pakistan build momentum toward upcoming global events like the ICC T20 World Cup.
Also read Babar Azam Possible T20I Comeback as Fakhar Zaman Suffers Injury Ahead of Asia Cup 2025
