Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan is the least strong of the leading teams

The season’s flavor is T20. Every side is thinking about the shortest format as they get ready for the biannual event, which India and Sri Lanka will host, with the T20 World Cup coming up at the conclusion of the season. However, in order to aid teams in their World Cup preparations, the Asia Cup will return to the T20 format on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates. The eight team event promises much, but eventually the focus will be on the big guns – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Here is a look at how Pakistan is shaping up.

Initial impression

To begin with, the Pakistani team has a new look. There has been a lot of turnover since Mike Hesson became the limited-overs team’s head coach. The former Kiwi coach is trying to assemble a competitive squad for the T20 World Cup. Having been out of depth in the format for a while, among the first major decisions that Hesson has taken is to not include Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two batsmen whose approach in the middle isn’t in tune with the times. Having coached in Pakistan Super League, Hesson has used the tournament to pick batsmen who will bring intent to the team, which will be led by Salman Agha, who is more in the mould of Rizwan and Azam There has been a lot of turnover since Mike Hesson became the limited-overs team’s head coach. The former Kiwi coach is trying to assemble a competitive squad for the T20 World Cup. Having been out of depth in the format for a while, among the first major decisions that Hesson has taken is to not include Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two batsmen whose approach in the middle isn’t in tune with the times. To begin with, the Pakistani team has a new look. There has been a lot of turnover since Mike Hesson became the limited-overs team’s head coach. The former Kiwi coach is trying to assemble a competitive squad for the T20 World Cup. Having been out of depth in the format for a while, among the first major decisions that Hesson has taken is to not include Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two batsmen whose approach in the middle isn’t in tune with the times.

Pay attention to

Saim Ayub: The flip and cover-drive are two of the left-hander’s strokes that will undoubtedly make you think of Saeed Anwar. The 23-year-old suddenly showed promise as a batting potential. While consistency has eluded him, Hesson has put faith in him in the hope that he would be able to provide rapid starts like he did in PSL. has already established a potent combination with Sahibzada Farhan, which may come as a surprise.

Saim Ayub: You will undoubtedly be reminded of Saeed Anwar by some of the left-hander’s shots, especially the flip and cover-drive. Unexpectedly, the 23-year-old showed promise as a batting potential. Even though he hasn’t been consistent, Hesson has trusted him in the hopes that he will be able to offer quick starts as he did in the PSL. Can be a surprise because they have already established a solid combination with Sahibzada Farhan at the top.

Muqeem Sufiyan

Pakistan possesses a number of spin options, which will be helpful in conditions that are conducive to spin, despite their heavy reliance on pace packs. Being a relatively fresh left-arm wicket-spinner who plays for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and is accustomed to the UAE’s conditions, he is an intriguing choice. The 25-year-old has been promoted to the highest level with enough variants up his sleeve in the hopes that he may one day fulfill the promise. Alongside Abrar Ahmed, the mystery spinner Sufiyan could form a lethal combo in the middle-overs.