Tag: Asia Cup 2025

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a 17-member squad for the forthcoming UAE T20 Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday.

Salman Ali Agha will captain the team, which includes experienced players such as Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf. Additionally, young talents Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, and Hussain Talat have also been selected for the lineup.

Meanwhile, the ace duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have not been selected in the Pakistan squad.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s last T20I appearance came in December 2024 against South Africa.

Following the squad announcement, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson shed light on the selection of pacer Salman Mirza.

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“We have retained Salman Mirza because of his performance in Bangladesh,” Hesson said.

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

Tri-series schedule (all matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium):

29 August – Afghanistan v Pakistan – 7pm local time
30 August – UAE v Pakistan – 7pm local time
1 September – UAE v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
2 September – Pakistan v Afghanistan – 7pm local time
4 September – Pakistan v UAE – 7pm local time
5 September – Afghanistan v UAE – 7pm local time
7 September – Final – 7pm local time

ACC Asia Cup T20 2025 (Pakistan fixtures, Super Fours and Final):

12 September – Oman v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
14 September – India v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
17 September – UAE v Pakistan, DICS, 6pm local time
20-26 September – Super Fours fixtures (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
28 September – Final, DICS, 6pm local time

READ: Pakistan head coach Nolberto Solano arrives at Football House in Lahore

MUMBAI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to announce the squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 next week, Indian media reported on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the selection committee and team management have begun final deliberations and are expected to announce the squad on August 19 or 20

The BCCI has decided to collect fitness test results for all players before making the announcement to ensure the squad is fully fit.

Several notable names, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, and KL Rahul, are reportedly set to miss out, while Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have secured their spots.

Uncertainty remains over India Test captain Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

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While no decision has been finalised, his exceptional form in the recent Test series against England makes him a strong contender for the T20I squad.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s participation will also hinge on his fitness clearance.

The Asia Cup 2025 begins on September 9 with a Group B clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Eight teams, divided into two groups, will battle for the title. Rivals Pakistan and India are placed in Group A alongside the UAE and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Schedule

• 9 September: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
• 10 September: India vs UAE
• 11 September: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
• 12 September: Pakistan vs Oman
• 13 September: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
• 14 September: India vs Pakistan
• 15 September: UAE vs Oman
• 15 September: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
• 16 September: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
• 17 September: Pakistan vs UAE
• 18 September: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
• 19 September: India vs Oman

Super Four Stage:

• September 20: B1 vs B2
• September 21: A1 vs A2
• September 23: A2 vs B1
• September 24: A1 vs B2
• September 25: A2 vs B2
• September 26: A1 vs B1

September 28: Final

READ: Former PCB chairman criticises cricket pitches in the West Indies

Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman is likely to regain full fitness ahead of the ACC Asia Cup 2025, set to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9.

According to a source close to the left-handed batter, his hamstring injury, sustained during the second T20I against the West Indies in Lauderhill, is not serious.

“He is currently in Dubai on his way back home from the United States and is expected to reach tonight,” the source said.

“I spoke to him personally and he told me that it’s a minor injury and it will take him just 10 to 15 days to recover.”

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The injury forced Fakhar Zaman to miss both the third T20I and the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting later today.

For the unversed, this is his second injury setback of the year, having earlier missed the ICC Championship Trophy clash against India due to an oblique muscle tear sustained against New Zealand.

In the recent T20I series in Florida, Fakhar scored 28 off 24 balls in the first match and 20 off 19 in the second before being injured while fielding. He sat out the decider, which Pakistan won by 13 runs to seal the series 2-1.

READ: West Indies suffer major blow ahead of Pakistan ODIs

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has called for the return of star batter Babar Azam to the national T20I setup ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be held next month.

Babar, along with wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, has been missing from Pakistan’s T20I plans in recent months under the new management led by head coach Mike Hesson.

The 30-year-old last featured in a T20I against South Africa in December 2024, after which he was dropped following a string of inconsistent performances and concerns over his strike rate.

In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Wasim Akram expressed strong backing for Babar’s inclusion in the squad, stressing the importance of experience ahead of two major events, the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“If I had the authority, I would definitely include Babar Azam in the national T20 team,” Akram said. “The Asia Cup and the World Cup are just around the corner, and we need a senior batter who can handle pressure.”

Highlighting Babar’s ability to adjust, Akram pointed to the batter’s 2019 stint with Somerset in the T20 Blast, where he struck runs at a strike rate close to 150.

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“He has the ability to adapt his batting according to the situation,” he added.

“When we’re chasing 140 or 160, especially against big teams, we need someone who can take responsibility and carry the other 10 players along with him. Babar is among the world’s best players.”

Akram insisted that while younger players bring energy, experience remains key in knockout scenarios.

“He still has a lot of cricket left in him. He’s among the best in the world and we should support him instead of sidelining him,” the legendary left-arm pacer added.

On the question of batting position, Wasim Akram left the call to the team management but offered his own preference.

“The coach can play Babar at any position he wants. In my opinion, number three is ideal for him, but it will depend on the situation. If there are more overs left, someone else could also go in to bat first,” he concluded.

READ: Muhammad Asif to represent Pakistan at World Games 2025

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Tuesday unveiled a 25-member preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against the Netherlands as well as the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan, who had fallen out of favour in recent months, has earned a recall to the Bangladesh squad.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain continues to remain sidelined despite solid performances in the domestic circuit.

Notably, Mosaddek has also been overlooked for the Bangladesh A team’s upcoming tour, further casting doubts over his national prospects.

Among those retained is all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has struggled to make an impact in T20Is of late, including recent series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Nonetheless, the selectors have shown faith in the experienced campaigner ahead of two crucial assignments.

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The BCB also confirmed that five squad members, Nurul Hasan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Saif Hassan, Hasan Mahmud, and Naim Sheikh, will miss a majority of the preparatory camp as they are set to travel to Darwin, Australia, for the Top End T20 Series 2025.

The group will leave on August 9 and are also scheduled to play a four-day match against South Australia as part of the tour.

This will be Bangladesh’s second straight appearance in the Top End T20 Series after their debut in 2024.

“The available players will report for a fitness camp at the SBNCS, Mirpur, on August 6. Skill training will begin from August 15, before the camp shifts to Sylhet on August 20,” the BCB stated.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands squad is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on August 26 for a three-match T20I series in Sylhet, to be played on August 30, September 1, and September 3. The Dutch side will depart on September 4.

Bangladesh Preliminary Squad for Asia Cup 2025

Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Saif Hassan.

READ: Arshad Nadeem ruled out of Diamond League due to fitness concerns

KABUL: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 22-member preliminary squad for their upcoming T20I assignments, the tri-nation series against Pakistan and hosts UAE, followed by the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

As per the ACB’s official statement, the Rashid Khan-led squad will undergo a two-week training and preparation camp, after which the final 15-member squad for both events will be finalized.

Afghanistan’s T20I tri-series campaign will kick off on August 29 in Sharjah with a curtain-raiser against Pakistan.

The tri-series, scheduled to run from August 29 to September 7, will be held entirely at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and will see each team face the others twice, culminating in the final on September 7.

The series will serve as a crucial tune-up for the Asia Cup 2025, also to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28 in the T20 format.

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It offers all three participating sides, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE, a valuable chance to adapt to conditions ahead of the continental event.

Interestingly, Pakistan and Afghanistan were originally slated to play a bilateral series in August.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proposed converting it into a tri-nation tournament to enhance preparations for the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup 2026.

The preliminary squad of Afghanistan features several familiar names, including seniors Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, alongside emerging talents like Wafiullah Tarakhil, Mohammad Ishaq, and Nangyal Kharoti.

Afghanistan Preliminary Squad for Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.

Tri-Series Schedule (All matches in Sharjah, 7pm local time):

August 29 – Afghanistan vs Pakistan

August 30 – UAE vs Pakistan

September 1 – UAE vs Afghanistan

September 2 – Pakistan vs Afghanistan

September 4 – Pakistan vs UAE

September 5 – Afghanistan vs UAE

September 7 – Final

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LAUDERHILL: Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha opened up after his side’s last-ball defeat against West Indies in the second match of the series here at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground.

West Indies managed to secure a win on the last ball, ending a six-match losing streak in the shorter format of the game.

Chasing a modest 134, West Indies wobbled early, courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz, who struck twice in his first two overs.

Captain Agha Salman rotated his spinners smartly, and Saim Ayub delivered next, sending back Sherfane Rutherford (9) before Nawaz returned to dismiss Shai Hope (21), making it 53 for 4 by the 11th over.

With the West Indies needing 36 off the last 18 balls, Holder and Romario Shepherd calmly plotted the chase.

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Holder pounced on a wayward Hasan over to ease the pressure, and though Shaheen Afridi removed Shepherd in the final over, the experienced all-rounder sealed the win with a boundary off the last ball.

Jason Holder starred with the bat and bowl, remaining unbeaten on 16 off 10 and scalping four wickets to take his team to a much-needed series-levelling victory.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Salman Ali Agha highlighted powerplay batting and praised bowlers for showing grit despite defending a low total.

“In this game, we batted well in the powerplay but we couldn’t finish the game. (on bowlers) We bowled really well, but there is always room to improve,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of better bowling in the last stage of the game, lauding the spinners and backing them to excel in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025.

“I think we can bowl better at death. 130 was never enough but they fought really well and I am proud of (bowlers). The way spinners bowled in both games, we are ready for Asia Cup, and they will come into play in Dubai,” Salman Ali Agha concluded.

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Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi has officially unveiled the schedule and venues for the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28.

The eight-team T20I tournament will be jointly hosted at two venues, Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium.

The blockbuster India-Pakistan fixture is slated for September 14 in Dubai, which will also host the final on September 28.

According to Naqvi, Abu Dhabi will stage eight matches, including one Super Four clash on September 23, while Dubai will host the majority of the games, including both high-voltage Pakistan-India clashes if the two sides progress beyond the group stage.

All matches will begin at 6 PM Gulf Standard Time, barring the September 15 fixture between UAE and Oman.

ACC T20 Asia Cup venues and match timings are out! Looking forward to packed stadiums and some truly breath-taking encounters! pic.twitter.com/eKrJcwnJlj

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 2, 2025

In contrast to the last edition, the Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams instead of six, divided into two groups of four teams each.

Group A features arch-rivals Pakistan and India alongside Oman and the UAE. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

The tournament kicks off on September 9 with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan begin their campaign on September 12 against Oman in Dubai, followed by the high-stakes clash against India on September 14.

Their final group match is set for September 17 against hosts UAE.

Asia Cup 2025 Schedule

Group Stage:

Sept 9: Afghanistan vs Hong Kong – Abu Dhabi

Sept 10: India vs UAE – Dubai

Sept 11: Bangladesh vs Hong Kong – Abu Dhabi

Sept 12: Pakistan vs Oman – Dubai

Sept 13: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka – Abu Dhabi

Sept 14: India vs Pakistan – Dubai

Sept 15: UAE vs Oman – Abu Dhabi

Sept 15: Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong – Dubai

Sept 16: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Abu Dhabi

Sept 17: Pakistan vs UAE – Dubai

Sept 18: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan – Abu Dhabi

Sept 19: India vs Oman – Abu Dhabi

Super Four Stage:

Sept 20: B1 vs B2 – Dubai

Sept 21: A1 vs A2 – Dubai

Sept 23: A2 vs B1 – Abu Dhabi

Sept 24: A1 vs B2 – Dubai

Sept 25: A2 vs B2 – Dubai

Sept 26: A1 vs B1 – Dubai

Final:

Sept 28: Final – Dubai

READ: Former India cricketer lauds Siraj for filling Bumrah’s boots

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has thrown his weight behind the much-anticipated Pakistan-India encounter in the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2025, stressing the importance of continued cricketing ties between the arch-rivals.

Speaking to the media at a local event in Karachi on Wednesday, Inzamam said he believes matches between the two nations are not just thrilling for fans but also crucial for improving bilateral relations.

“High-profile matches between arch-rivals are always appreciated,” the former skipper said.

“These continued cricketing ties could pave the way for improved relations and dialogue between the two countries.”

Inzamam-ul-Haq welcomed the prospect of a Pakistan-India showdown in the Asia Cup, underlining its significance beyond just sport.

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The Asia Cup 2025, set to be played in the T20I format, will serve as a key build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February next year.

The tournament will feature eight teams split into two groups. Group A comprises Pakistan, India, the UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

The action kicks off on September 9 with a Group B clash between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the high-voltage encounter against India on September 14.

Their final group match will be against the UAE on September 17.

READ: PCB calls emergency BoG meeting after India’s WCL forfeit: reports

Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan is unlikely to feature in the upcoming ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that required surgery earlier this month.

The 26-year-old underwent a successful procedure in the United Kingdom (UK) after sustaining the injury, which had already ruled him out of the recent T20I series against Bangladesh and the upcoming white-ball tour of the West Indies.

According to sources close to the development, Shadab is expected to need at least three months of rehabilitation before he can return to competitive cricket, putting his availability for the September tournament in serious doubt.

Despite his absence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to announce a replacement vice-captain.

No deputy was named during the Bangladesh series, and the same approach was carried forward for the West Indies tour, where Salman Ali Agha continues to lead the T20I side without an official second-in-command.

There has been no official update from the PCB regarding the recovery timeline or the future availability of Shadab Khan.

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Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently unveiled the much-anticipated schedule for the 2025 Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format as a preparatory event for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The eight-team tournament will take place from September 9 to 28 and features two groups of four teams each.

Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by the marquee clash against India on September 14.

If both arch-rivals qualify for the Super Four stage, another face-off is slated for September 21. The final will take place on September 28.

READ: Gautam Gambhir keeps Jasprit Bumrah decision open ahead of fifth England Test