Tag: Asia Cup 2025

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has questioned the exclusion of star batter Shreyas Iyer from India’s squad for the ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Last week, India’s men’s selection committee announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

However, the exclusion of Iyer raised eyebrows, especially considering his outstanding performance in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored 604 runs at an average of 50.33 and an impressive strike rate of 175.07.

AB de Villiers has recently spoken out, expressing his surprise at Iyer’s exclusion from the team. He articulated his confusion over the decision to overlook a player of such remarkable talent and potential.

During an interview with Indian media, de Villiers emphasized that Iyer’s maturity, steady progression in his career, and impressive leadership abilities should have made him a natural choice for selection.

“Of course, it’s weird to me, a quality player like that not making the starting squad for Team India, especially with the leadership qualities he’s bringing,” he stated.

“I have no idea, to be honest. If there’s a 50-50 call, you would always lean towards the guy that you feel will bring the best out in other players.”

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The former captain of the South African cricket team suggested that various factors outside of the game might have influenced the selectors’ final decision.

“He’s matured a lot. He has demonstrated many leadership qualities, but who knows what is happening behind closed doors? Maybe, not even Shreyas knows,” he further added.

“There might be a few things that have taken place over the years that have determined why he’s not the flavour of the month for a certain tournament. He’s a quality player. He’ll be in my team more often than not.”

The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opening fixture.

India are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, hosts UAE, and Oman.

They open their campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai, before locking horns with Pakistan on September 14 in one of the tournament’s most-anticipated clashes.

Their final group stage match against Oman is scheduled for September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson.

Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

READ: PCB addresses speculation on Rizwan, Shan Masood’s captaincy future

Pakistan T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan has shared an update on his recovery from a shoulder injury, which has ruled him out of the national team’s key fixtures, including the Asia Cup 2025.

A month earlier, Shadab Khan underwent a successful shoulder surgery in the United Kingdom (UK).

The 26-year-old persistent injury had already ruled him out of the T20I series against Bangladesh and the white-ball tour of the West Indies.

Notably, Shadab Khan was named as vice-captain during Pakistan’s white-ball tour of New Zealand at the start of this year.

Despite the absence of Shadab Khan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not named Salman Ali Agha’s deputy in the shorter format of the game.

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Shadab took to his social media handle, where he shared the update regarding his road to recovery.

“Alhamdulillah, the sling is off, on the road to recovery now. Thank you for all your support & prayers,” he wrote on X.

For context, the Pakistan team is set to participate in a tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is scheduled to begin on August 29.

Following the series, Pakistan will feature in the eight-team Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to begin on September 9, with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the opening fixture.

The highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India is scheduled for September 14.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are grouped together with the UAE and Oman, while Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong form Group B.

Pakistan Squad for Tri-series and Asia Cup

Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim

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Afghanistan has announced their 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, set to commence on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Rashid Khan will lead the spin-heavy side with Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, AM Ghazanfar, and Mohammad Nabi bolstering the attack.

Notably, Afghanistan has not played a single T20I since the start of 2025 and no international cricket since the Champions Trophy in February.

Their last T20I series was against Zimbabwe in December 2024, which they won 2-1.

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Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Afghanistan will participate in a Tri-Series in Sharjah, alongside hosts the UAE and Pakistan.

The notable exclusions in Afghanistan squad are opener Hazratullah Zazai and Zubaid Akberi, whereas spinner Nangeyalia Kharote has been named in reserves.

The top-order of Afghanistan comprises Ibrahim Zadra, all-rounder Sharafuddin Ashraf, and Ghazanfar.

Meanwhile, domestic T20 competition performers Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai also have a spot in the squad, with Naveen ul Haq making a comeback after retiring from ODIs.

Afghanistan will play their opening fixture against Hong Kong in the tournament’s curtain raiser on September 9.

They are placed in Group B with Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan squad for men’s T20 Asia Cup

Rashid Khan (capt), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Reserve players: Wafiullah Tarakhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Abdullah Ahmadzai

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Former India opener Virender Sehwag has thrown his weight behind Suryakumar Yadav, endorsing the dynamic batter’s leadership as the Men in Blue gear up for the ACC Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE.

Sehwag, speaking to Indian media, said he was confident in the squad’s chances, highlighting the balance of youth and experience that makes India a strong contender for the title.

“This Indian team has the right mix of youth and experience, and under Surya’s fearless leadership, they can dominate Asia once again,” Sehwag remarked.

Virender Sehwag stressed that Yadav’s aggressive, fearless approach is tailor-made for the demands of modern T20 cricket.

“His attacking mindset suits the T20I format perfectly, and if the team plays with the same intent, I have no doubt India can lift the trophy,” he added.

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The Asia Cup 2025 will begin on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opening fixture.

India are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, hosts UAE, and Oman.

They open their campaign against the UAE on September 10 in Dubai, before locking horns with Pakistan on September 14 in one of the tournament’s most-anticipated clashes.

Their final group stage match against Oman is scheduled for September 19 in Abu Dhabi.

India’s squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson.

Reserves: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

READ: Babar Azam resumes training in Lahore after returning home

Cricket Hong Kong have named a 20-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, which is slated to commence on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The squad is set to arrive in the UAE on August 24 for a preparation camp.

Yasim Muruza will lead the side with Babar Hayat named as vice-captain. This event will also mark the former captain’s first major tournament.

Cricket Hong Kong revealed the squad in an official statement.

“We’re excited to announce that Team Hong Kong, China, will head to the UAE for an Asia Cup Preparation Camp.

The tour will feature a series of competitive preparation matches and training sessions designed to fine-tune team strategies ahead of the prestigious ACC Asia Cup,” Cricket Hong Kong’s official statement read.

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This will be Hong Kong’s fifth appearance in the continental tournament, having previously featured in the 2004, 2008, 2018, and 2022.

Hong Kong qualified for the Asia Cup 2025 after defeating Nepal in the 2024 ACC Premier Cup.

Former Sri Lanka player and the newly appointed head coach, Kaushal Silva, shared his thoughts on the 20-member squad.

“The team’s final preparations for the upcoming tournament will begin with their tour of the UAE,” he said.

“Bringing a 20-player squad gives him an opportunity to assess each individual and help the players hone their skills. The tour will also be vital for building stronger bonds and a winning mentality within the team,” he added.

For the unversed, Hong Kong will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Afghanistan on September 9.

Hong Kong’s Asia Cup squad:

Yasim Murtaza (C), Babar Hayat (VC), Zeeshan Ali (WK), Shahid Wasif (WK), Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Ehsan Khan, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Anas Khan, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali-Hassan, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed

READ: Shaheen Afridi comments on Babar, Rizwan’s exclusion from Pakistan T20I squad

DUBAI: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has shared his views on the omission of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the national squad for the Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025.

Top-order batsman Babar Azam and former T20I captain Mohammad Rizwan’s last T20I appearance came in December 2024 against South Africa.

Since then, the pair has not been included in the team’s plans for the shorter format, amid criticism of their strike rates.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines during Pakistan’s preparatory camp ahead of the upcoming fixtures, Shaheen discussed the exclusion of the ace duo.

“Tomorrow I might not be playing either. It’s not necessary that I ask why I’m not playing. Everyone should get opportunities,” he said.

“Rizwan and Babar are world-class players and have played excellent cricket for Pakistan, and they will play in the future as well,” Shaheen remarked.

The left-arm pacer highlighted the opportunity for younger players, noting that they should not be criticized.

“Everyone gets an opportunity, and they should seize those chances. I think the more we support our youngsters, the better. We shouldn’t criticize them, saying, “They are new, they haven’t done anything yet.”

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Pakistan will play its arch-rivals, India, on September 14 in the Asia Cup 2025, and Shaheen Afridi has expressed confidence in the team’s preparation ahead of the marquee event.

“Yesterday we had our first practice session at night, and today we are practicing at the stadium. I think this preparation is going really well for the big matches before the Asia Cup, and this tri-nation series will help us,” Shaheen Afridi stated.

“Look, obviously plans and strategies are made in advance, but I think this preparation is earlier than Pakistan has ever done before,” he explained while replying to a question regarding the highly anticipated encounter.

Shaheen Afridi also shed light on the conditions and the upcoming tri-series against the UAE and Afghanistan.

“We have a good opportunity to use the stadium, get used to the conditions, and prepare well for the big matches. But our first target is the tri-nation series, and then comes the Asia Cup,” the 25-year-old said.

He also commented on the team’s unity and expressed pride in playing for Pakistan.

“I think unity is something people talk about from the outside. Inside the team, it’s not an issue. Just like in a family, small things happen, but they should stay within the family.

Our job is to play cricket and bring happiness to Pakistan. That’s what we are focused on. Outside matters are not in our control, and everyone has their own opinions which should be respected,” he concluded.

READ: Mehidy Hasan Miraz left out as Bangladesh name squad for Asia Cup 2025

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) unveiled a 16-member squad for the forthcoming Netherlands T20Is and Asia Cup 2025 on Friday, with all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz not included.

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 9 to 28 September.

The Bangladesh squad will also play a three-match T20I series against the Netherlands before the marquee tournament.

Mehidy, who was set to miss the Netherlands series due to personal reasons, could not secure a place in the squad and is named in the standby players, along with opening batter Mohammad Naim, who also could not find a place.

The duo was part of Bangladesh’s 2-1 triumph over Pakistan last month. Naim had returned with the scores of 32*, 3, and 10 in three matches.

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Among the notable inclusions in Bangladesh squad are wicket-keeper batter Nurul Hasan Sohan and Saif Hassan.

Nurul has earned a recall after three years. The batter’s last appearance in the shorter format was back in the 2022 World Cup. Both players are currently playing in the Top End T20 series in Darwin, Australia.

The Tigers will play the three T20Is against the Netherlands on August 30, September 1, and September 3. They will kick off their campaign against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi on September 11.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup and Netherlands T20Is:

Litton Das (capt, wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin

Standby Players for Asia Cup

Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.

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DUBAI: Pakistan opening batter Fakhar Zaman trained with the national squad here at the ICC Academy ahead of the tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan, which is set to begin on August 29.

Two days earlier, the first group of Pakistan’s T20 squad arrived here to take part in a pre-series training camp ahead of the upcoming Tri-Nation Series and the Asia Cup 2025.

The national side training camp at the ICC Academy will continue until August 27. The sessions are designed to prepare the team for consecutive international assignments in the UAE.

Fakhar, who was ruled out of the West Indies series due to a hamstring injury sustained during the second T20I in Florida,  has now resumed training with the squad.

Following his injury, Fakhar Zaman was immediately treated by the team’s physio and has since been sidelined from all cricketing activity.

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As a result, he did not feature in the remaining matches of the West Indies tour. Due to the injury, his place was also in doubt for the Asia Cup 2025 and tri-series, however, he was added to the squad.

For the unversed, the Tri-Nation Series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7.

Pakistan will open its campaign against Afghanistan, with each team playing the others twice, and the top two teams will qualify for the final on September 7.

Following the series, Pakistan will turn its focus to the 2025 Asia Cup, which kicks off on September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Pakistan squad for the UAE tri-series and Asia Cup

Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim

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The India team has been officially cleared to participate in the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where arch-rivals Pakistan will also compete.

The highly anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan is set to take place on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The official decision was announced via a statement from the Indian Sports Ministry, amid calls for a boycott due to the strained relations between the two countries.

According to the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,  the country will not host or visit Pakistan for bilateral engagements, but will allow Pakistani players to participate in multilateral events hosted by the country.

“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India,” the ministry’s statement said while revealing a new policy.

“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events,” the statement added.

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The ministry also noted that the Indian team and individual players will participate in international events that also feature teams or players from Pakistan.

“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.”

However, the statement did not specify whether Indian athletes would be permitted to travel to Pakistan for multilateral events.

The statement emphasized a smooth visa process for the athletes, team officials, technical staff, and representatives of the sports governing bodies.

It is noteworthy to mention that India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a bilateral series since 2012; however, they have played each other in multination events.

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Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

The tensions between India and Pakistan have flared up in recent times, with both countries on the brink of a full-fledged war.

A few days earlier, former cricketers also questioned the very need for the India vs Pakistan clash in the tournament.

Harbajan Singh, who was part of the recently concluded World Championship of Legends (WCL), had stated, “Why do we give them so much importance?

Similarly, former Indian cricketer Kedar Jadhav has added fuel to the ongoing debate around the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 with his remarks.

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“I think the Indian team should not play at all. As far as India is concerned, wherever India plays, it will always win. But this match should not be played, and I can say this with confidence that they will not play,” he said.

Now, Wasim Akram has stated about the contest during a recent show in which he discussed various aspects of his cricketing career.

“The Asia Cup schedule has been announced. They (India) are probably getting the backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We are fine if we play or don’t play. The game must go on,” Akram said.

The left-arm pacer discussed the India-Pakistan Test series, with both countries playing the last Test match back in 2007.

“I hope so, but I think Indians will probably take a different take on this,” he said.

“In my opinion, politics apart, we are not politicians, and I am not a politician. They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours.

Let’s not go below the belt. Talk about the triumphs of your country; the same goes for Pakistan, and the same goes for India. It is easier said than done,” Wasim Akram concluded.

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