Babar Azam called to Pakistan team before Asia Cup 2025 Final

Shahid Afridi has sparked fresh debate in Pakistani cricket after openly questioning the team’s decision to drop seasoned batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad. Shahid Afridi’s blistering statement came after Pakistan’s inconsistent batting performances in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025.

Pakistan’s cricket team’s top order has struggled to find boundaries or put up competitive totals so far in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, while their bowlers have been doing their part excellently.

Shahid Afridi blasts decision to leave out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, the former Pakistan captain suggested that if this was the quality of cricket the Men in Green intended to play, there was no reason to drop their most reliable batters in Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

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The legendary all-rounder highlighted that Babar Azam and Rizwan have often been taken for granted by selectors and fans, but they could have brought much-needed stability and experience to Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up in the high-pressure tournament.

Shahid Afridi said at an event, as quoted by News18, “Agar isse Tarah khelna hai toh Babar ko bhi hona chahiye tha, Rizwan ko bhi hona chahiye tha (If this is how you meant to play, Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan should also have been part of the squad). When they are around, they are taken for granted; this is Pakistan cricket’s problem.”

Pakistan missed Naseem Shah’s firepower in Asia Cup 2025: Shahid Afridi

Afridi also admitted that he truly missed pacer Naseem Shah in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. He also felt that Naseem, alongside Shaheen Afridi, could have formed a lethal bowling attack that would have added a cutting edge to Pakistan’s attack, especially in high-pressure clashes against top teams like India.

He signed off by saying, “Naseem Shah ko Maine bahut miss kiya, jiss Tarah se condition thi, mere saath me shaheen ke saath Naseem ka pair outstanding perform karta (I missed Naseem a lot. I think he and Shaheen would have been an outstanding pair.

The way the team is playing is not up to the level. You can beat Sri Lanka and Oman, but in a final against India, you have to be top-notch in all three sectors.”

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Pakistan holds edge in historic finals rivalry with India

Notably, Pakistan’s batting woes have been on full display in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Despite their bowlers pulling off brave efforts, the team’s inconsistent batting performance remains a glaring concern for the Men in Blue heading into the final on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai.

India and Pakistan’s rivalry produced some unforgettable finals over the years. So far, they have met in five such finals. India managed to win two of them—the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in 1985, where the team lifted the trophy in style, and the historic 2007 T20 World Cup final, which was the beginning of India’s dominance in the shortest format.

However, Pakistan holds the upper hand in the head-to-head record. They have beaten India in three major finals—the Austral-Asia Cup in 1986, repeated the feat in 1994, and stunned the cricketing world in 2017 by lifting the ICC Champions Trophy with a dominant victory in England.

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