PCB Announces 17-Member Squad for Tri-Nation T20 Series and Asia Cup — Babar Azam, Rizwan Omitted
Lahore:The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member national squad for the upcoming Tri-Nation T20 series and the Asia Cup. In a surprising move, star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been excluded from the squad.
The announcement was made by Head Coach Mike Hesson and Chief Selector Aaqib Javed during a press conference in Lahore on Sunday. All-rounder Agha Salman has been named captain and will lead the national side for the first time in a major tournament.
The squad features a mix of youth and experience, reflecting a strategic shift towards building a fresh, dynamic team. According to the selection committee, the decision aims to infuse new energy into the lineup ahead of key international fixtures.
### **Selected Players:**
* Agha Salman (Captain)
* Abrar Ahmed
* Faheem Ashraf
* Fakhar Zaman
* Haris Rauf
* Hasan Ali
* Hassan Nawaz
* Hussain Talat
* Khushdil Shah
* Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper)
* Mohammad Nawaz
* Mohammad Wasim Jr.
* Sohaib Maqsood
* Saim Ayub
* Salman Mirza
* Shaheen Shah Afridi
* Sufiyan Muqeem
Cricket fans were left stunned by the absence of Babar and Rizwan, who have been mainstays in the national side for several years. While no official reason was given for their omission, speculation points towards squad rotation, workload management, or a focus on grooming new talent for future tournaments.
The squad is expected to begin training later this month, with high expectations resting on the shoulders of new captain Agha Salman and the young core of the team.
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