Babar Azam’s potential return in Pakistan’s T20 squad for Asia Cup 2025 depends on his ODI performance in the West Indies series, with PCB assessing his fitness and form. Rumors of a Babar Azam vs Salman Ali Agha rift have been denied by officials.
Babar Azam, former captain of Pakistan’s national team, is under consideration for a T20 comeback ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. According to PCB sources, the decision to include Babar Azam in the squad depends on his performance in the ongoing ODI series against West Indies.
Fakhar Zaman’s injury has opened a spot in the top-order, making Babar Azam’s comeback in T20 more likely. If selected, Babar Azam is likely to rejoin the squad during the UAE tri-nation series. The series is scheduled for late August, just before the Asia Cup 2025.
Will Babar Azam Comeback as a Wicket Keeper?
Speculations suggesting Babar Azam advised to keep wickets for his return officially denied by Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson. He clarified that no such discussions took place and Babar was not offered to take up the role of a wicketkeeper.
Asia Cup 2025 Pakistan squad
The Asia Cup 2025 Pakistan squad to finalize after the completion of the West Indies series. The announcement expected in the second week of August. Pakistan is in Group A with matches against Oman, UAE, and India. Pakistan vs India will take place on 14 September, while the team’s campaign begins on 12 September against Oman.
Regarding the controversy around Babar Azam vs Salman Ali Agha, multiple PCB officials and Salman himself have denied any internal conflict. The reports of a rift between the players labelled as speculative and baseless.
Salman Ali Agha currently leads Pakistan’s T20 side as captain, focusing on a younger core. Babar Azam rested earlier this year during squad reshuffles to test new combinations ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2025.
